NOTE THE NEW LOCATION: HILTON HOUSTON MEDICAL CENTER, 6840 ALMEDA RD (@HOLCOMBE), HOUSTON, TX 77030)
WE'RE TRYING OUT A NEW LOCATION TO BROADEN OUR OUTREACH
The Houston ACFE invites you to join us for our April In Person Training Event for Networking and Education (4 Hrs including 1 hour of Ethics)
This event is a four hour event that we are providing at a discounted price to our current Houston Chapter members. We will have 4 hours of Specialized Knowledge. If you aren't a member yet, this is a great time to join!! Join at the Houston ACFE website: www.houstonacfe.org
ATTENDEES WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR RAFFLE DRAWINGS FOR THE HOUSTON ACFE CONFERENCE (2 WINNERS) AND THE ACFE EXAM PREP GUIDE
Presentation 1: Cryptocurrency Risks & Safeguards: Stablecoin Is Coming to a Business Near You
Speaker: W. Marc Schwartz & Kevin Ortiz, Schwartz Associates (9:10 - 10:30 am)
Description: This presentation provides an introduction to cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, with a focus on the rapidly growing role of stablecoins in the modern economy. We will cover how blockchain transactions work, the key differences between stablecoins and unregulated crypto, and the legal framework emerging around stablecoins under the GENIUS Act. We will also explore real-world concerns such as fraud, scams, and privacy risks, and demonstrate how blockchain forensics can be used to trace illicit transactions and support potential recovery.
Marc Schwartz is the founder, CEO and Managing Member of Schwartz Associates, LLC which specializes in Financial and Blockchain Forensics. His practice over the past fifty one years has included providing business valuation, financial restructuring and expert witness services on a number of civil and criminal cases as well as serving as a Chapter 11 bankruptcy trustee, a Chief Restructuring Officer, an examiner with expanded powers, a Federal and State court receiver, and as a court appointed special master. For the past three years he has been active in analyzing and developing business strategies relating to crypto currency and the blockchain. In November 2024 the Firm began to offer fee paid services tracing stolen cryptocurrency on the blockchain, to date the firm has traced $1.23 billion of crypto transactions
Kevin Ortiz offers a multidisciplinary background in cyber engineering, blockchain forensics, and client-focused investigations to his role at Schwartz Associates. With a strong foundation in network security and digital asset tracing, he specializes in delivering investigative solutions that pair technical precision with a deep understanding of cybercrime dynamics. His expertise includes analyzing blockchain transactions, mapping exposure across smart contracts, and guiding clients through complex digital asset recovery efforts. Before joining Schwartz Associates, Kevin built hands-on experience in network infrastructure and cybersecurity across both academic and private-sector environments. His technical work includes the development of a smart mobility device featuring embedded cybersecurity protocols and Wi-Fi-based geolocation, as well as leading infrastructure and security initiatives for Fortune 500 companies across the United States.
Presentation 2: E-pay: Emerging Threats and Scandals (10:45 -12:00 pm)
Speaker: Doug Kutta Jr., Special Agent, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)
With a distinguished career beginning in 2001, Doug is an expert in complex fraud investigations who transitioned from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)—where he earned the HSI Director's Award and served on a high-risk Special Response Team—to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Following an Inspector General Award-winning investigation, he currently focuses on sophisticated financial crimes in Houston, serving on the Elder Fraud Strike Force and Financial Review Team. His background combines extensive domestic and international field experience with specialized skills in forensic investigation, fraud mitigation, and high-level investigative reporting for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Description: Emerging Threats & Scams examines how U.S. Treasury checks continue to be exploited through theft, alteration, and identity fraud, despite the expansion of electronic payments. Using real‑world law enforcement case studies, the session highlights key red flags, frontline failures, and investigation best practices tied to IRS and benefit check fraud. It also covers Treasury verification tools, current fraud trends, and what payment fraud professionals should expect as the federal government phases out paper checks and fraud migrates to ACH and debit channels. Attendees will gain practical insight into evidence preservation, coordination with federal partners, and building stronger referrals for prosecution. The session reinforces how timely intervention and informed questioning can prevent losses and disrupt organized fraud networks.
Presentation 3:
Description: Supply Chain Fraud: What AI Won’t Tell You!
Speaker: Jay Qatato CFE, Vice President, Supply Chain, CALPINE Corporation (1:00 - 2:00 pm)
Bio: Jay has over 30 years of experience in supply chain, auditing, engineering, operations, and shared services. In his current role as the VP Supply Chain for Calpine, he manages a significant portion of the supply chain and is responsible for the procure to pay application to support all aspects of supply, including contracts, sourcing, purchasing, and invoicing. Jay has conducted both audit and internal investigations during the course of his career in a variety of business areas. He has been responsible for the creation of various analytics and interactive dashboards to manage risk and highlight any potential transactions of interest. Jay authored an article for the IIA International Magazine titled “Auditor or Adviser” and has been a guest on an Audit Podcast. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and is a CIA, CCSA, and CFE.
Agenda:
8:30 am Breakfast and Networking
9:00 am Welcome
9:00 - 10:30 am - Presentation 1
10:45 - 12:00 am Presentation 2
12:00 - 12:50 Lunch
12:50- 12:55 Chapter News
1:00 - 2:00 Presentation 3
Event Policies:
Program Cancellation Policy
If you have registered and/or paid for an event and you need to cancel, you MUST cancel online through your account no later than 5 days prior to the event, unless otherwise indicated in specific event policies, to request a refund and/or cancel your registration. The Chapter must confirm event registrations with the venue prior to the event and any changes after this time period can become a financial cost to the Chapter. The Chapter reserves the right to make the final determination on what percentage charge/refund will be returned for cancellations made after the cutoff. The default condition is that cancellations made after cutoff will be charged at 100% and/or no refunds will be allowed. In the event the Chapter determines that partial charges or refunds will be allowed, they will be made on a case by case basis.
In the event of having to cancel one of the events, the Chapter would immediately send an email blast to all registrants with the emails they used for registration. The Chapter media relations officer would post on all social media platforms notifying members of the cancellation, and the Chapter webmaster would also post cancellation on the Chapter website.
In the event an attendee does not show up to the event, the registration cost will be forfeited. If payment at the door was the selected method, then the attendee will be billed for the full cost of the event. The Chapter reserves the right to bar future registrations for any attendees who routinely register and fail to pay and/or attend the event. If you have any questions you may email events@houstonacfe.org."
For more information regarding refund, complaint and/or program cancellation policies, please visit the Terms & Conditions section of the website, or email us at events@houstonacfe.org.
Additional Information:
Delivery Method: Group Live
Prerequisites: Not Applicable
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge
Who Should Attend: Anti-fraud professionals, Auditors, Accountants, Attorneys, Investigators, Law Enforcement, Educators, Students
Advanced Preparation: None
Program Level: Basic
NASBA Sponsor No. 125230
The Houston Area Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org
For concerns regarding course offerings, certifications or complaints, please contact: Sasha Gartman, Training Director at the Houston ACFE.
