New York Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

Protecting Our Seniors: Combating Elder Fraud and Financial Exploitation

Elder financial exploitation continues to rise, demanding stronger collaboration across legal, financial, and investigative disciplines. In this panel, fraud experts who are directly involved with investigating elder fraud will share real-world insights on detecting, preventing, and responding to fraud schemes that target older adults. Through discussion of recent cases and emerging trends, attendees will gain practical strategies to strengthen oversight and protect vulnerable populations.

Key Takeaways:

• Recognize common patterns and red flags of elder financial exploitation.
• Understand legal, investigative, and industry practices and strategies for prevention and remediation.
• Learn how cross-disciplinary collaboration can improve outcomes for victims and institutions alike.

Panelists

Catherine A. Christian, Partner, Liston Abramson LLP

Catherine A. Christian is a highly experienced trial lawyer and advocate with more than 30 years of public service in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and as a prominent leader within the New York legal community.

Ms. Christian began her legal career in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office under the legendary Robert M. Morgenthau. Her experience includes several decades of trial and investigative experience, including felony and homicide jury trials at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the NYC Special Narcotics Prosecutor. In these offices, she held several senior leadership positions, including Special Assistant District Attorney for External Affairs, Senior Trial Counsel, Director of Legal Staff Training, Chief of Alternative Sentencing and Chief of the Elder Abuse Unit. 

As an Assistant District Attorney, Ms. Christian supervised investigations and prosecutions of financial fraud, conducted long-term wiretap investigations of multi-defendant international criminal organizations, and reviewed convictions where there were credible claims of innocence or wrongful conviction. She also served as Assistant Counsel for the New York State Commission of Investigation where she investigated corruption, fraud, and mismanagement by public officials.

She is Vice Chair of the Appellate Division First Department’s Attorney Grievance Committee and a member of the Character and Fitness Committee.

She co-chaired the New York State Bar Association’s Task Force on the Modernization of Criminal Practice.

Ms. Christian is an MSNBC and NBC News legal analyst. 

David Zweighaft, DSZ Forensic Accounting & Consulting Services LLC

David S. Zweighaft, CPA, CFF, CFE, is a New York City-based forensic accounting and litigation consultant. David is a fraud subject matter expert and since 1993 has served the legal and financial services communities in both consulting and expert witness services. An experienced expert witness, he has testified in depositions before arbitration panels and judicial hearing officers, as well as in state and federal courts. David’s background includes four years with a risk management advisory firm as the Associate Director of their Fraud Risk Management practice and over thirteen years with global public accounting firms focusing on litigation and forensic services. He also assisted the United States Department of Justice (Southern District of New York) for three and a half years as a Senior Asset Forfeiture Financial Specialist. He has authored numerous articles about fraud and accounting issues, and has given presentations to many professional groups. David has been an Adjunct Instructor at New York University’s School of Professional Studies, where he taught auditing, forensic accounting, and litigation consulting. He has also been a Faculty Instructor at international conferences for anti-fraud professionals.

Detective Daniel Alessandrino

Detective Daniel Alessandrino has over 23 years of experience in law enforcement with the New York City Police Department. He has dedicated 18 of those years to investigating financial crimes. For the past several years, his focus has been on major financial crimes perpetrated by organized groups and prolific serial fraudsters. As a subject matter expert, he travels across the country to speak on topics related to gangs and financial crimes, sharing insights on investigative techniques and strategies. Detective Alessandrino is also currently a Task Force Officer with the United States Secret Service Cyber Fraud Task Force, where he collaborates on cutting-edge investigations in cyber-related financial crimes.

Moderator

Dora Gomez, Certified Fraud Examiner, CRMA, GRCP, GRCA

Dora Gomez is an internationally respected leader in fraud examination, internal audit, and enterprise risk management. As Chairwoman of the New York Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (NYCFE), she brings decades of experience driving strategic anti-fraud initiatives across global financial institutions. Her transformative leadership roles at AXA Group, Wolters Kluwer’s Corporate Legal Services, and EY’s Financial Crimes and Compliance practice have shaped industry standards and empowered organizations to strengthen controls and mitigate risk. Her leadership continues to shape the future of fraud examination and compliance excellence.

Dora earned her Master of Science in Business and Information Systems at NJIT and BBA in Accounting from Pace University. Beyond her professional commitments, Dora is deeply engaged in fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing within her industry.  She is the current Chairwoman for the Justice for Fraud Victims Project (JFVP), Member of Pace University’s Seidenberg Cybersecurity Advisory Board, Board Member of NJIT’s Ying Wu College of Computing, and Member of the ACFE’s CFE Exam Development Committee.  Dora has served on the Board of the NYCFE since 2013.  In 2023, she was honored with the prestigious Distinguished Achievement Award by the ACFE's President and CEO, a testament to her exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to combating fraud and enhancing financial integrity. 

Attendees will be entitled to 1.5 CPE credits!

REGISTRATION CLOSES November 18th at 11:59 PM EST!

NYCFE Members: FREE

Non-NYCFE Members: FREE

Please note:  Check your registration confirmation for STEP 2 - emailed instructions and webinar password. You will be required to register through the Webinar provider in advanced.  You will also need the password to access the Webinar.

AGENDA:

11:45 AM EST- Webinar will open for pre-registrants to sign-in

12:00 PM - 1:15 PM EST - Presentation

Additional Information:

Prerequisite: None

Advanced Preparation: None

Program Level: Overview

Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge

Delivery Method: Group Internet Based (Virtual)

NYCFE 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 website:www.nasbaregistry.org.