Conflict of Interest in the Business Environment: Address Workplace Ethics

Why Should You Attend:

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development states: “Conflict of interest occurs when an individual or a corporation (either private or governmental) is in a position to exploit his or their own professional or official capacity in some way for personal or corporate benefit.” A conflict of interest doesn’t always lead to corruption; however, corruption requires a conflict of interest. The Conflict of Interest principal is that an employee should have a loyal, faithful, and due diligent duty to his or her employer with the primary benefit of the employee’s efforts being bestowed upon the employer. When the primary benefit goes to the employee or related party, then a conflict of interest occurs.

Businesses and organizations that enter into contracts with vendors for goods, material, or services, are vulnerable to Conflict of Interest corruption that can cost their organization untold dollars. It is imperative that an organization have a strong Conflict of Interest policy, and methods to detect if a Conflict of Interest exists.

Areas Covered in the Webinar:

• Conflict of Interest Hazards
• What causes Conflict of Interest
• The fine line between “Hospitality” business practices and Conflict of Interest.
• The correlation between Conflict of Interest and Corruption
• The Human Factor that accepts Corruption as a way of doing business
• Corporate Integrity and Anti-Fraud Philosophy Proactive measures to prevent
• Investigating Conflict of Interest
• Auditing for Conflict of Interest
• How to identify potential Conflicts of Interest in progress

Who Will Benefit:

• CEOs
• Senior Management
• Finance Personnel
• Internal and External Auditors
• Fraud Examiners
• Investigators
• Procurement Officials
• Attorneys

Instructor Profile:

John E. Grimes III has over 45 years of progressive law enforcement, criminal investigation, fraud examination, loss prevention, leadership, and teaching experience. He began his career with the Baltimore City Police Department where he became a detective in the Criminal Investigation Division (CID). He left Baltimore and became a special agent with the newly created Amtrak Police Department Fraud and Organized Crime Unit. He was then promoted to captain of the CID. In 1993, Mr. Grimes joined the Amtrak Office of Inspector General/Office of Investigations. He was appointed chief inspector in 1999 and retired from service in 2011. Since his retirement his efforts have focused on education, training, and mentoring. He is an adjunct instructor at Stevenson University teaching graduate level courses in forensic interviewing and fraud examination. He is an advisory committee member for the Center for Forensic Excellence at Stevenson University. He is also on the Stevenson University Forensic Advisory Board.

In addition, Mr. Grimes is the proprietor of Fraud and Loss Prevention Solutions. He developed and taught an introductory loss prevention course for Blue Ridge CC in NC. Additionally, he has been a speaker, presenter, and trainer at many ACFE events, as well as government, private, and professional organizations.

Mr. Grimes is the immediate past president of the Maryland Chapter-ACFE. During his term as president, the Maryland Chapter was the honored recipient of the 2015 ACFE Chapter of the Year Award. He has been a Certified Fraud Examiner since 1997. He is also recognized as a Certified Forensic Interviewer by the Center for Interview Standards and Assessments, Ltd. Mr. Grimes is a member of the Reid Institute and the Loss Prevention Foundation. He was a former staff officer with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary where he was recognized as an instructor specialist and a marine safety and environmental protection specialist.

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