Background checks - how much can you afford to lose?

[KarenBlau]

You are a venture capitalist considering investing in a company. Or ?
You have found a business you want to buy. Or ?
You are ready to start a new business, and you are considering a partner.
You know the industry, the business plan makes sense. Now ?

How much can you afford to lose? Everything you have invested ? and more?

Gather round children for a scary bedtime story.

Our client, one of the biggest casino owners in Las Vegas, wanted to build a casino in a certain Pacific Rim country. They know lots about the gaming industry, but nothing about the rules and regulations of that country, or its culture. Furthermore, they want to associate the casino with an online poker website. They have been approached by Michael W., who has told them that he is the ?only? person who can put this project together, and it will be successful beyond all expectations. He has all the connections and the know-how. They client has checked him on the Internet, and has seen that he is of Asian descent and has been the President of two Internet gaming companies.

Realizing that not just money, but the reputation of their existing casino at stake, they request a background check.

Findings? Michael had been forced to resign from the first company. Although it was a public company, there was nothing in the annual report about the reason, although he left without notice. We tracked down the former CFO of the company in the Caribbean, who described Michael?s flagrant abuse of the company?s resources, and noted that ?he is the least scrupulous guy I ever worked for?. Did I mention the police raid on the corporate offices a year after he took the helm? Something about pornography, illegal gambling, money laundering? The head office eventually relocated to Antigua. The second gaming company refused to discuss Michael with us.

We also found two criminal actions against Michael, one for impaired driving; one for driving without a licence. There were five civil court cases involving Michael as a defendant. The issue in four of the cases was his failure to pay for work for which he had contracted personally. A Writ of Seizure and Sale had issued against Michael for unpaid income. There was a similar action against him in another state according to federal court records.

Needless to say, the client decided against a partnership with Michael. And what is Michael doing today? He is an investment-banking consultant.

Remember, knowledge = power.

Karen Blau can be reached for Due Diligence at intelligence@karenblau.com or check out the website: Intelligence - KarenBlau.com - Reduce your risk, make informed decisions

[ITcapital]

I enjoyed reading your blog...