Conference Agenda

7:15-8:00 a.m.
Check-In, Breakfast and Networking

8-9:00 a.m.
Interviews & Interrogations Techniques and Tips from a Police Detective Turned Certified Fraud Examiner
Presenter: Jared Ross, MA, CFE - Arlington Police Department

Jared is a veteran police leader, trainer and hostage negotiator. He also has experience conducting both criminal and internal investigations. Jared recently became a Certified Fraud Examiner and is interested in transitioning his law enforcement experience into the corporate world in the coming years. 

9-10:00 a.m.
Internal Audits That Create Shared Stakeholder Value: Adopting an Agile Mindset
Presenter: Thomas Bell, Ph.D., PMP, PMI-SP, PSM, PSPO, CISA, CRISC, COBIT, ITIL, LSSGB - Texas Wesleyan University

Dr. Thomas J. Bell , III (PMP, PMI-SP, PSM, PSPO, CISA, CRISC, COBIT, ITIL, LSSGB), a  Professor of Business Administration at Texas Wesleyan University, has an extensive career spanning more than three decades within the dynamic landscape of IT systems. His experience extends across adaptive, predictive and hybrid projects and audits, where he actively engages in both participative and leadership capacities, serving a diverse client base. 

With an unwavering dedication to advancing the frontiers of knowledge and enriching the academic dialogue, Dr. Bell's scholarly endeavors have yielded a noteworthy collection of peer-reviewed journal publications. These publications explore the nuanced domains of project management leadership styles, auditing behaviors, team dynamics and the intricacies of certification training pedagogy. 

In the ever-evolving IT landscape, Dr. Bell's multifaceted experiences and unwavering commitment are making a notable mark on academia and the broader field of Information Technology. His journey not only encapsulates the role of a professor but showcases his dynamic involvement with the evolving facets of IT systems, positioning him as a guiding force at the intersection of academia and practical expertise. 

10:00-10:10 a.m.
Break 

10:10-11:10 a.m.
Your Business is My Business: A Case Study
Presenter: Candace Richards - Internal Revenue Service

Candace Richards is a Special Agent in the Dallas Field Office of the IRS.  She began her career in 2009 in the Atlanta Field Office, Birmingham Post of Duty, and transferred to Fort Worth, where she was born and raised, in 2016.  As a Special Agent, Candace has worked a plethora of cases from identity theft, tax evasion, health care fraud, employment tax and return preparer fraud. Candace has also held several collateral duties such as the Public Information Officer, On the Job Instructor, and Recruiter to name a few.  Candace holds a BA and MBA with emphasis in Accounting from Texas Wesleyan University.  

11:10-11:20 a.m.
Break 

11:20 a.m.-12:35 p.m.
Low Man on the Totem Pole: How I Became a White Collar Criminal
Presenter: Helen Sharkey

When Helen Sharkey was hired as an accountant in 1996 by Dynegy—an up-and-coming energy trading company in Houston—she had no idea the job would ultimately lead to 28 days in a maximum-security federal prison. But that’s exactly what happened. 

At the age of 28, Helen was the lowest-level employee on a $300 million structured finance transaction team called Project Alpha. Little did she know, Dynegy was following in the footsteps of Enron. Soon, the Securities and Exchange Commission launched an investigation of Project Alpha, followed by criminal charges brought by the Justice Department against three employees, including Helen. 

In August 2003, Helen pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud. 

Today, Helen speaks about her experiences with brutal honesty and not a trace of self-pity. She talks about her excitement when she landed her “dream job” at Dynegy, only to be followed by dismay when she began to doubt the ethics of what they were doing and, ultimately, her complete loss of faith in the company. She details her gut-wrenching fear when she realized that the Justice Department was targeting her, her struggle with the decision to plead guilty, the shame of being branded a felon and her time behind bars. She talks about her mistakes frankly, yet also delivers a message of hope: even when things are at their darkest, never lose sight of the light at the end. Follow it and believe. 

12:35-1:30 p.m.
Lunch

1:30-2:30 p.m.

Identifying and Obtaining Evidence of Fraud
Presenters: Harry White and Monroe Solomon, III - Nickols White Solomon, PLLC

Harry E. White has practiced law since 1999, handling legal matters all over the state while working for the Office of the Attorney General, the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney and the Henderson County Attorney.  At the Office of the Attorney General and the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney, he was the chief of the white collar prosecution units.  He was the First Assistant County Attorney in Henderson County. 

Harry has tried dozens of cases all over Texas and has investigated and successfully resolved many more.  These cases include theft, misapplication of fiduciary property, identity theft, illegal voting, engaging in organized crime, money laundering, retaliation, tampering, solicitation of capital murder, bribery, gambling, embezzlement, DWI, assault and drug possession.  He has also handled civil matters including forfeitures and civil injunctions. 

His experience having worked around Texas for the government directly benefits any client he represents, whether that client has been arrested and charged or is only aware that he is being investigated. 

Harry subscribes to the idea that a good litigator can successfully try any lawsuit, be that before a criminal or civil court or an administrative board. 

Harry is licensed by the State Bar of Texas.  He graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1999 and Rice University in 1996.  He is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.   He is licensed to practice law before the United States District Court in the Western District of Texas. 

Monroe is a talented, knowledgeable and passionate trial attorney with years of experience defending clients charged with criminal offenses. His skills in and out of the courtroom regularly reward his clients with not-guilty verdicts, dismissals, reductions and suppression of evidence.

Although his practice primarily focuses on high-level, complex criminal cases in federal and state court, Monroe represents and defends clients charged with all types of criminal offenses. His wealth of trial experience includes capital murder, white-collar crimes, conspiracy, all levels of assault, sexual offenses, drug offenses and DWI/DUI.

Monroe’s experience and abilities have earned him recognition among his legal peers. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star since 2021, Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Lawyer in Texas by the National Trial Lawyers Association and Top 10 in Texas for Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service in Criminal Defense by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys.

This recognition has led to positions on several boards and committees. Currently, Monroe is a board member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Education Institute and the Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association, co-chair of the Prosecutorial Misconduct Committee for the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association, a founding member of the Indigent Defense Committee for the Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association and is the only criminal defense attorney on the Tarrant County Unity Council.

Monroe’s experience and abilities in criminal defense have been recognized within the academic arena, as well. Currently, Monroe serves as an adjunct professor at Texas A&M University School of Law, the 29th-ranked law school in the country. There, he teaches law students the practical applications of criminal defense. He also regularly presents to other attorneys at legal conferences around the state on topics such as trial strategy and tactics, effective representation, and changes in the law. This commitment to continuing legal education led to his recognition as a member of the Texas Bar College.

Outside of the legal practice, Monroe is a loving husband and father of two wonderful kids. He enjoys various outdoor activities, watching and playing all sports, and relaxing with his friends and family.

2:30-3:30 p.m.

How Prosecutors Use Certified Fraud Examiners
Presenters: Steve Fawcett and Melinda Chaney - Dallas County District Attorney's Office

Steve F. Fawcett is an Assistant District Attorney in the Specialized Crime Division of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, which serves approximately 2.5 million residents across the county. Based in the Frank Crowley Criminal Courts Building, Mr. Fawcett is responsible for prosecuting a wide variety of financial crimes as well as arsons. Financial crimes he has prosecuted include complex theft cases—such as employee embezzlement, cargo theft, deed fraud, and theft of ATMs—as well as various Texas tax code violations, credit card fraud and abuse, false statements to obtain property or credit, forgery, securities fraud, fraudulently securing and executing a document, fraudulent use and possession of identifying information (a.k.a. identity theft), healthcare fraud, insurance fraud, misappropriation of funds by a fiduciary, online impersonation, tampering with government records and unlawful interference or use of an electronic communication.  

Mr. Fawcett has worked for the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office for more than eight years, and for the past four years within the Specialized Crime Division. Prior to entering this division, he was assigned to various felony courts handling a wide variety of felony cases from simple possession of controlled substances to murder. During Mr. Fawcett’s time with the Specialized Crime Division, he has pioneered new ways of prosecuting gas thieves under the Texas Tax Code and was the first to successfully prosecute defendants for engaging in organized tax evasion. He was an instructor at the 2023 Texas Comptroller’s Annual Training, helped draft SB 467 (proposal for tougher sentences for gas thieves who break into gas pumps), and published an article in the May-June 2022 edition of the TDCAA’s The Texas Prosecutor, titled Using the Tax Code to go after Gas Thieves.  

A Dallas native, Melinda Chaney joined the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office in 2021, after a rewarding first career in the insurance and financial industry as an insurance business owner and agent for a renowned Fortune 500 company.

Embarking on her second career and after graduating from law school, Melinda joined a nonprofit organization, Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, where she fulfilled a passion to assist low- income residents with free legal help. 

Presently, at the District Attorney’s Office, Melinda concentrates her white-collar crime practice on environmental crimes and Title 7 offenses in the Texas Penal Code that include, theft, fraud and money laundering offenses.

Melinda received her J.D. from UNT Dallas College of Law in 2018, where she was a recipient of the Windell Turley Scholarship and was the founding President of the Sports and Entertainment Law Association. 

Prior to law school, she earned a B.A. degree in Mass Communications with a focus in public relations from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 

3:30-3:45 p.m.
Break

3:45-5:00 p.m.
Painting a False Picture of Payroll
Presenter: Rick Roybal, CFE - Matador Resources

Rick Roybal, a committed advocate in Vendor-Risk Management, experienced auditor, published author and speaker, brings nearly two decades of expertise to the oil and gas industry. Currently serving at Matador Resources, Rick plays a crucial role in ensuring vendor compliance with the company's accounting standards, policies and procedures.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Russian, a Master of Arts in Linguistics, and an MBA in Finance & Accounting, underscoring his diverse academic background. Rick's contributions to the field are showcased in his articles for ACFE FRAUD and The IIA Internal Auditor.

Moreover, Rick has disseminated his knowledge widely, speaking at various ACFE chapters across the world. Further, Rick has been selected to speak at the 35th Annual ACFE Fraud Conference in Las Vegas, marking the third occasion he has been honored to contribute to this prestigious event.

5:00-5:05 p.m.
Concluding Remarks, Dismissal