Scratch the 4 day Feb. trial. Treachery of forensic accountant means another con

[VIDEO: "What is parental alienation?"]

This is unbelievable.  This time our forensic accountant has gone MIA.  I liked and trusted her but she's bolted after a blow-up with my L., who got her launched into the business years ago.  The F.A. (forensic accountant) was under contract with an accounting firm, while she uncovered and tracked the evidence we needed.  But the firm overcharged me a lot, by including a retainer fee for work not yet done, and making it look like an invoice.  So my L. said not to pay it until she got it straightened around.

Meanwhile, the FA just asked for and received from me another hefty retainer for the trial, but we didn't know that her accounting firm wouldn't release the documents needed to prove our case.  The FA didn't get the documents in by the deadline, in fact she still hasn't, though I signed her contract where she promised to deliver services to me as an independant contractor.  When my L. called her close to the last minute to ask for the documents needed, the FA just laughed and said she was at the circus and was then going over to Miami!  So my L. yelled at her over the phone, and the FA hasn't been heard from since.

We don't have the evidence and the forensic expertise we need to prove our case because the FA has run off with the circus!

Now we've had to ask for a continuance.  And when we get can get another 4 day trial date, God only knows.  Can things get even more bizarre than this?

Stuckinbetween

[stuckinbetween]

This is unbelievable.  This time our forensic accountant has gone MIA.  I liked and trusted her but she's bolted after a blow-up with my L., who got her launched into the business years ago.  The F.A. (forensic accountant) was under contract with an accounting firm, while she uncovered and tracked the evidence we needed.  But the firm overcharged me a lot, by including a retainer fee for work not yet done, and making it look like an invoice.  So my L. said not to pay it until she got it straightened around.

Meanwhile, the FA just asked for and received from me another hefty retainer for the trial, but we didn't know that her accounting firm wouldn't release the documents needed to prove our case.  The FA didn't get the documents in by the deadline, in fact she still hasn't, though I signed her contract where she promised to deliver services to me as an independant contractor.  When my L. called her close to the last minute to ask for the documents needed, the FA just laughed and said she was at the circus and was then going over to Miami!  So my L. yelled at her over the phone, and the FA hasn't been heard from since.

We don't have the evidence and the forensic expertise we need to prove our case because the FA has run off with the circus!

Now we've had to ask for a continuance.  And when we get can get another 4 day trial date, God only knows.  Can things get even more bizarre than this?

Stuckinbetween

[Matt]

Is the accounting firm still in business?

Maybe your lawyer can work with them to assign someone else and get the job done.

They should do that at no extra cost, to make sure the firm's reputation isn't damaged.

[stuckinbetween]

We don't trust the accounting firm because of the very suspicious things they included on my invoices, like charging me $2950 for an IRS short form when my income was only $7200.  That's part of the reason I haven't paid the invoices---because my attorney was investigating stuff like that.

The problem seems to be some kind of conflict between the FA and her accounting firm; and my L, the FA, and the accounting firm.  Meanwhile, it's coming down on me with the 4th continuance in my trial and over 25 mo. since the date of petition.  Pray that the judge grants the continuance because we've got the goods on NPDh but cannot produce the needed forms or another expert forensic accountant by Wed.  I have a signed contract from the FA stating she'd provide all the services I need but she didn't come through and the last we could trace her was at the circus!

Meanwhile he and his attorney are positively gleeful and his L. just sent the most viscous sarcastic email to my L.

Can things get any weirder than this?  HEADLINE:  "AWOL Key Witness Forensic Accountant Last Spotted at the Circus!"

Stuckinbetween

[Matt]

It seems to me that you need a strong nucleus to your team.  Maybe that's you and your lawyer, if you have confidence in your lawyer.

And then you add to the team - maybe another FA if you can find one to do it - to clean up the mess left by the other FA and that firm.

Later you can probably get back what you paid them, if that's what they have to do to save their reputation.  Or you might ask the court to order them to pay you back.  Your lawyer probably knows how to do that - maybe he can send both the FA and the firm a lawyerish letter letting them know that if they don't make it right they will be held accountable in court, plus your legal costs to get back what you paid them.

First things first - do you have confidence in your attorney, and can you find another FA to clean up the mess quickly?

[stuckinbetween]

Thanks, Matt.  Good advice.  My L. says she'll get the money back.  FA's been paid over $15K and I have nothing with which to go to court.  Just 2 documents out of many, and these full of errors.  Useless.  I'll think about your advice some more.  And I appreciate it.  My L. is devastated right now because she and the FA had been long time friends and partners.  But my L. is very committed to my case and I'm bolstering her for a change, though I'm in shock too.  She's willing to bring the FA to court if necessary.

Stuckinbetween