Utica College Conference to Focus on Preventing, Detecting Construction Fraud

UTICA, March 31, 2010 – Historically, times of economic decline coincide with an increase in crime, particularly fraud.

In an effort to combat growing fraud in the construction industry, Utica College will host its first Construction Management Annual Conference on April 29-30 on the Utica College campus in the Economic Crime and Justice Studies Building.  “Blueprint for Success: Preventing and Detecting Construction Fraud,” a joint effort of the construction management and criminal justice departments, brings together industry leaders and professionals as they discuss relevant and timely topics relating to the prevention and detection of fraudulent activities that can undermine construction practices.

Experts from the IRS, construction attorneys, CPAs, insurance underwriters and other experts will facilitate the sessions that address a range of topics including bid and bond fraud, asset misappropriation, loss prevention, lien law and more.  This conference will benefit all those in construction, insurance, banking and finance, accounting, law enforcement, government, and higher education.

The conference will feature keynote speaker Steven A. Pasichow, assistant inspector general/assistant director of investigations for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Pasichow, a graduate of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, is responsible in particular for fraud prevention efforts in the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site and the new Hudson Rail Tunnel.

The conference will also feature a presentation by Burton T. Ryan Jr., assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.  Ryan currently specializes in coordinating long-term, multi-agency investigations involving both corporate and criminal enterprises.

The construction management major at Utica College is designed to prepare students for careers in the growing field of the management of construction projects. It includes a balanced focus on technical construction knowledge like methods and materials, construction processes, and surveying as well as the managerial, financial, and planning skills necessary for taking charge of construction activities.

The conference is $250 per person. For more information or to register, contact Utica College’s Office of Corporate and Professional Programs at (315) 792-3344, profdev@utica.edu, or log on to the Utica College Web site at www.utica.edu/blueprint.