Strip Club Expenses Could Be Just The Start In NFLPA Investigation

From an analytical perspective, SportsMoneyStrip Expenses Could Be Just The Start In NFLPA InvestigationByJesse Silvertown, Contributor

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights (something worth watching)

Nevertheless, (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)Getty Images Lloyd Howell Jr, considering recent developments

Moreover, Resigned as the Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) amidst allegations of conflicts of interest and expense impriety

Market analysis shows ’s a startling turn for an organization known for stability; Howell was just its third executive director in the last 42 years

Howell may have left the NFLPA, but reading the reports and having investigated hundreds of similar matters, my immediate reaction was that any be should not just continue, but also expand in scope

This article will focus on why, and what that investigation might look (an important development), given current economic conditions

Furthermore, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 05: NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell discusses the state of, given current economic conditions

Nevertheless, Union executives - who have a legal and fiduciary responsibility to their members - should be held to the highest standards in managing what is ultimately athlete money

To that end, unions have internal cesses and controls, sometimes based on these Department of Labor recommendations

Furthermore, More players union, announces the end of the strike at a press conference

Alongside Upshaw is Dick Berthelsen, the union's general counsel, in this volatile climate

Upshaw also said that the union has filed a federal suit in Minneapolis, alleging breach of antitrust laws by the NFL

Additionally, Bettmann But Strip Shouldn’t Be The Only Area Of Concern Consider not just the ‘where’, but also the ‘what’ and the ‘how’, amid market uncertainty

Cash – and its cousins, PayPal, Venmo and gift cards – are high-risk areas for expense reimbursements because they mask the ultimate nature of spend, in today's market environment

Moreover, On the other hand, In addition, Howell reportedly “instructed (another employee present) to file the expense reports ”, in this volatile climate

That move might have masked total spending for the evening, and also allowed Howell to essentially apve his own expenses if the employee was his subordinate (this bears monitoring)

Expense policies typically hibit such activities, and both might indicate a willingness to circumvent internal controls that have broader implications

In contrast, WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 25: A microphone sits outside the building where members of the NFL Players

That issue is more optical than logical; reportedly, Howell consulted in Aerospace & Defense and the relationship was disclosed and vetted by internal and external teams before he joined the NFLPA and again when Carlyle was apved for NFL investment (something worth watching)

But there are also concerns around suppressing potential collusion allegations, a sexual discrimination and retaliation lawsuit at a previous employer, and an FBI investigation into personal enrichment through the NFLPA’s OneTeam investment

Nevertheless, Perhaps relatedly, a source close to the partner WilmerHale hired to investigate Howell said “our work continues”

More in Washington, DC

Nevertheless, (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)Getty Images How that investigation might ceed Investigations are part art, part science, and no two are the same

But based on experience and the facts that have been publicly disclosed, it’s reasonable to suggest counsel and the forensic accountants they hire will pursue a few angles

Nevertheless, First will be interviews, including Howell, if he’s cooperative, as well as any employees directly or indirectly involved

Moreover, On the other hand, That also means whistleblowers, especially since the strip expenses were “received” by the outside investigator

Second, the NFLPA’s attorneys might extract s for Howell or other employees

Those s will go into a legal data platform Relativity that is more effective than the Microsoft Outlook bar for identifying patterns

Third, they’ll pore through two years of expense reimbursement and vendor spending data (noteworthy indeed), given current economic conditions

Analytics will help, such as math and pattern analyses to identify red flags, or even - ironically - yellow flags (noteworthy indeed)

Those results are married to s and interviews, and sometimes further testing – such as looking at supporting documentation – is necessary for painting a er picture (an important development), given the current landscape

Given the concerns around conflicts of interest and circumvention of internal controls, investigators will also look closely at vendors that the NFLPA paid during Howell’s tenure

Did they vide legitimate services

And who else within the organization was aware of conflicts and did enough to communicate them – where reasonable – to broader membership

Moreover, At the end of this cess, WilmerHale will vide a report, given current economic conditions

Nevertheless, Conversely, If I’m a player, and not just an executive committee member, I’d demand to see it, understanding some parts may be redacted to tect whistleblowers, given current economic conditions

Transparency is paramount; not just with the union, but with the government, since there are reportedly labor law implications

At the same time, Necessary for restoring faith As this cess unfolds, scrutiny and pressure continue to widen beyond Howell

Tretter, the President, was reportedly one of two people being considered to replace Howell

On the other hand, He just resigned amidst public criticism on his role in Howell’s hiring and other matters from constituents Will Compton

It’s been a tough period for the NFLPA, but with CBA expiration on the horizon, hopefully this investigation and the new executive director will be key first steps in restoring faith from membership

Editorial StandardsRes & PermissionsLOADING PLAYER, in today's financial world.