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Southwest Ohio ACFE Chapter

Upcoming events

    • Thursday, March 13, 2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
    • Cincinnati Financial Corporation, 6200 South Gilmore Road, Fairfield, OH 45014
    Register

    Speaker: Chelsea Perez - The Humane Society of the United States, Senior Program Manager

    Topic: Equine Soring & Doping: Considerations for Fraud Investigators

    Description:

    Note: This is part one of a two-part event series focusing on equine-related investigations.  See our April event here.  In this session on equine soring and doping, while the presenters will be focusing on the investigative aspects of the topic, please be advised that the underlying theme and some content is sensitive.  

    Soring involves the intentional infliction of pain to a horse's legs or hooves in order to force the horse to perform an artificial, exaggerated gait. Horse “doping” is the administration of illicit substances to manipulate a horse’s performance. In this class, attendees will learn about the criminal aspects of these enterprises, and how investigations into these cases are conducted.  This will include providing an overview of the legal framework that allows law enforcement to seize horses, how law enforcement can work with animal organizations and rescue groups to process and manage seized horses, and how evidence is collected and utilized in the investigation.

    Chelsea Perez is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in legal investigations, enforcement, and equine welfare advocacy. As Senior Program Manager for Equine Protection at The Humane Society of the United States, she leads efforts addressing critical equine welfare issues, including horse soring, doping racehorses, and slaughter. 

    CPE: 1.5 hours

    CPE credits are based on a 50-minute hour.  CPE is offered through the ACFE as well as the Accountancy Board of Ohio (sponsor number CPE.00467).  Attendees must attend 75 minutes of the meeting and answer 5 polling questions during the meeting to validate attendance. 

    Learning Objectives

    - Provide an introduction to the concept of equine welfare and explain the key areas of concern related to soring and doping and seizure procedures

    -Outline the legal framework governing these practices, including relevant legislation like the Horse Protection Act (HPA) and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)

    - Review basic procedures for collecting evidence and seizing horses

    Prerequisites: None

    Speaker Bio: 

    Chelsea’s experience includes handling complex legal cases during her tenure as an Enforcement Officer with Canada’s Antitrust Agency, where she conducted search warrants, managed evidence, and advised on policies related to electronic evidence. Chelsea combines her background with her deep understanding of equine welfare issues, shaped by a lifetime as an active participant in the horse industry, with a focus on dressage riding and training.

    • Wednesday, April 16, 2025
    • 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
    • Fretboard Blue Ash - 5800 Creek Road, Blue Ash OH 45242
    Register

    This is a chapter appreciation event!  A private room has been reserved.  Food will be provided by the chapter, and there will be a cash bar.  We also will have giveaways for attendees.  Southwest Ohio ACFE Chapter members can register for free.  We welcome non-members and guests to attend for $15.  

    Timing: We will have networking from 5-5:45.  The presenters will speak from 5:45-6:45, and then networking will resume until 7:30.

    SpeakersRobert Thacker and Barry Manor: Great American Insurance, Special Investigation Unit 

    Topic: Equine Fraud in the Insurance Industry

    Description

    Like many other industries, the equine industry deals with fraud that is seen in many different aspects. The speakers will provide information on the common types of equine-related fraud, the investigation process in the insurance industry, and will give insight on their time as investigators tasked with investigating these types of claims.

    CPE: 1 hour

    CPE credits are based on a 50-minute hour.  CPE is offered through the ACFE as well as the Accountancy Board of Ohio (sponsor number CPE.00467).  Attendees must sign in and attend 50 minutes of the meeting to validate attendance. 

    Learning ObjectivesPromotion of improved fraud detection and deterrence and through expansion of knowledge in relation to the session's topic.

    Prerequisites: None

    Speaker Bios: 

    Robert Thacker is the current Supervisor of field investigations within Great American’s SIU unit. Robert has been at Great American the past 10 years and has also worked as an analyst and investigator. Prior to his work at Great American Insurance, Robert worked as an Inside Auto Adjuster at Liberty Mutual Insurance and in Bank Protection at Fifth Third Bank specializing in deposit and credit card fraud.

    Barry Manor is a Senior SIU Investigator within Great American Insurance Company’s Special Investigations Unit. Barry has worked in this capacity for 8 years. Prior to working at Great American, he worked as a claims adjuster and claims supervisor with American Modern Home Insurance Company for 27 years. After working in claims for several years, he assisted in the development of American Modern’ SIU and was employed as a Senior Investigator for 22 years with American Modern Home Insurance. He also worked as a Client Director for CoventBridge.

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