Chapter Member Photo: Kari Overson
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Enterprise fraud investigations are oftentimes viewed as behemoths – an impossible task no one dares endeavor; however, with the continually evolving use of Data Analytics and machine learning, the ability for their use as a force multiplier early in these investigations to mine for investigative patterns, and revisiting throughout to refine targeting and inform investigative strategy is a modern tool to move swiftly.
During the 2020 COVID Pandemic, a third-party lending processing company named Blueacorn processed more PPP applications than any other service provider. They were everywhere – and the size of their enterprise is what initially attracted federal attention. A Senate subcommittee determined at least $1 billion of Blueacorn’s $4.7 billion in processed loans were either questionable or outright fraudulent – not due to some technical program deficiency, but because a high number of applications contained false information. The subsequent 2022 investigation culminated in late 2025 by successfully bringing to resolution a multi-agency, multi-district enterprise fraud scheme, ultimately convicting and sentencing Blueacorn’s married Co-Founders Nathan Reis and Stephanie Hockridge each to 10 years in prison, with $66 million and $63 million in restitution ordered, respectively; with several additional co-conspirators pending sentencing across further legs of the vast nationwide network totaling over $200 million, with estimates ranging into $600 million.
Kristofer Pasquale, Special Agent with the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), and President of the Northwest Inspectors General Council (NWIGC)
Presenter Bio
Kristofer Pasquale is a former Staff Attorney for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and has served 22 years as a Special Agent beginning in the Foreign Service with the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, where he protected personnel, facilities, and information, as well as the conduct of U.S. foreign policy interests at U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide. Kris then transitioned to the civil service and served at the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), Internal Affairs Division, and subsequently served in the Department of the Interior, where served as the Chief of Policy and later the Special Agent in Charge of Internal Affairs.
In 2018, Kris moved to the Pacific Northwest as the Assistant Operations Officer overseeing 6 Special Agent in Charge Offices with the Department of Defense, with over 100 personnel, before making his way to the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General where he leads multi-agency investigative and prosecution teams on COVID Fraud Task Forces across the Western Region and a portfolio of investigations totaling over $2.6 Billion in fraud against the U.S. Government.
Kris is a Licensed Attorney and Certified Fraud Examiner (ACFE), and graduate of several leadership training programs at the Foreign Service Institute and the Department of the Interior University, and a Partnership for Public Service, Samuel J. Heyman Service to America 2025 Medal Honoree
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Fighting fraud isn’t easy — it’s one of the most challenging and important responsibilities you take on as anti-fraud professionals. In this session, you’ll gain a practical overview of the key resources, tools, and support available to ACFE members, designed to help you detect, prevent, and respond to fraud more effectively.
Whether you’re new to the profession or a seasoned practitioner, this session will help you better understand how to leverage ACFE resources in real-world scenarios and maximize the value of your membership in your ongoing fight against fraud.
Ross Pry, CFE – Vice President of Membership, ACFE
Ross Pry, CFE, is the vice president of membership at the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the world’s largest anti-fraud organization. He leads the strategic, membership-related initiatives of the ACFE’s nearly 100,000 members, 200 global chapters and the Anti-Fraud Education Partnership. He also assists in the international growth of the association’s Corporate Alliance Program and Law Enforcement and Government Alliance.
Pry has been with the ACFE for 19 years, serving in multiple roles across the organization in a variety of departments. He speaks at international, regional and local events on the importance of anti-fraud controls, fraud prevention and the mindset of a fraudster.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, and is a proud Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
The PNW Chapter is hosting a day-long training conference that brings together professionals and experts from a diverse range of anti-fraud disciplines to provide you with top-quality education and an environment to network with other regional CFE's. There are 8 hours of CPE available to all who attend this event, including 2 hours of ethics.
Session 1, 8:00 AM – 8:50 AM (1 CPE)
Learning by Investigating: The University of Washington-Bothell Way by Kenneth Hines
This session explores how forensic accounting education can move beyond theory and into real-world impact. Drawing on the model at the University of Washington Bothell, attendees will see how students are trained to analyze evidence, think critically, and produce litigation-ready work while supporting victims of financial harm. The presentation highlights experiential learning, professional responsibility, and the Justice for Victims Project—an initiative that connects academic training with meaningful community outcomes.
Speaker Bio: Kenneth J. Hines is a Partner at Integritas³ and Accounting Faculty and Executive-in-Residence at the University of Washington Bothell. A former senior executive with IRS-Criminal Investigation, he served more than two decades conducting and leading complex investigations involving tax fraud, public corruption, money laundering, and transnational financial crime. Mr. Hines advises attorneys, corporations, and government agencies on forensic accounting, compliance, and investigative strategy, and regularly serves as an expert in matters involving financial misconduct. In the classroom, he prepares the next generation of professionals to follow the money, evaluate evidence, and communicate findings for litigation and regulatory environments. His work bridges practice and education, including leadership of initiatives that support victims of financial crime.
Session 2, 9:00 AM-10:45 AM (2 CPEs Ethics)
Integrity and Fraud Examination by Maria Kulp
This interactive workshop explores integrity as the wholeness of a person: aligning values, character, and actions in fraud examination work. Participants will engage in a values-sorting exercise to identify their core values and connect them directly to their daily professional responsibilities as CFEs.
Speaker Bio: Maria Kulp has taught philosophy and ethics at Gonzaga University since 2016. Her primary areas of expertise are end-of-life ethics, medical ethics, and professional ethics education. She has a special interest in how human beings form moral judgements and how ethics education can help people better prepare for situations in which doing the right thing might not always be possible. She has recently taken up golf and would love any pointers.
Session 3, 11:00AM-11:50 AM (1 CPE)
ACFE PNW Chapter Spotlight by Board Members
This session will highlight the activities that the current ACFE PNW Board achieved throughout the year 2025. Discussions will include the board composition, upcoming elections, board achievements, future plans and direction.
Speaker Bio: Board members
Session 4, 1:00 PM-2:45 PM (2 CPEs)
Mortgage Fraud: Emerging Trends by Jillayne Schlicke
In this session we will learn about emerging mortgage fraud scenarios including the following: Reverse occupancy fraud, the silent second, collusion by industry insiders, inflating income, fraud involving the escrow closer, credit repair fraud, deed fraud, the Sovereign Citizens movement, fraud involving the use of digital "doc-sign" signatures, wrap-arounds, and a new trend to hide kickbacks.
Speaker Bio: Jillayne Schlicke has 40 years in the mortgage lending and real estate industries. Writes and teaches mortgage and real estate courses, webinars, convention workshops and college courses. Mortgage lending and real estate cases: Consultant, factual witness, and rebuttal expert. Consulting: Mortgage lending laws, mortgage fraud, ethics, operations.
Author of numerous published articles appearing in Inman Real Estate News, Housing Wire, Power Originator Magazine, NAPMW, Scotsman Guide, Northwest MLS Reporter, Escrow Association of WA, Loan Officer Magazine, Real Estate Executive Magazine, Mortgage Banker Magazine, Washington Realtor News, Mortgage Originator Magazine.
Interviewed by the following Media: Reuters, KIRO 97.3FM, Inman Real Estate News, New York Times, Real Estate Radio AM1150, KPLU/National Public Radio, Calculated Risk Blog, Seattle Post Intelligencer, Seattle Metropolitan Magazine, Mortgage Banker Magazine, Northwest MLS Reporter, Real Estate Today KIRO 710AM, National APMW.
M.A. Psychology Antioch University
Has held 38 professional association chair positions or committees
Recipient of 14 industry awards including “Instructor of the Year” from the Seattle King County Association of Realtors and “Affiliate of the Year” from the Washington State Association of Realtors
2013 Inman Real Estate News 100 Most Influential Thought Leaders.
In 2019, CE Forward was nominated for a Business and Humanitarian Leadership Award by the Washington Association of Mortgage Professionals.
Member: Washington Mortgage Bankers Association.
Jillayne is a graduate of MBA’s School of Mortgage Banking and is an Accredited Mortgage Professional.
2022 to present: WA State Mortgage Broker Forum
2022-to present: NMLS Course Providers Working Group
Session 5, 3:00 PM - 4:45 PM (2 CPEs)
The Human Hack: How Social Engineering and Crypto are Fueling Cybercrime by Marc Evans
Cyber criminals are increasingly bypassing traditional security defenses — not by hacking technology, but by exploiting human psychology. This session delves into the world of social engineering, revealing how attackers manipulate trust to execute phishing schemes, impersonation attacks and other deceptive tactics. In addition to exposing the mechanics of these manipulations, you will explore how threat actors are leveraging cryptocurrency to launder proceeds, fund illicit operations and further obscure their identities, creating new challenges for both individuals and organizations.
Speaker Bio: Marc Evans is a Cybercrimes and Fraud Detective, a Certified Fraud Examiner, and the Founder of Fraud Hero, where he provides training and education to financial institutions, law enforcement, and senior communities. He has investigated cyber and fraud-related crimes and has been in law enforcement for over 13 years. These investigations have included social engineering, ransomware, credit card fraud, money laundering, and identity theft, among various other forms of fraud crimes. His investigations have uncovered multiple methodologies used by criminals as well as many arrests, convictions, and the recovery of millions in lost funds and assets.
Also, if you update your address in your profile, please email info@pnwacfe.org to notify us of the change. We will then update the sales tax location code in your profile accordingly. Thank you for your assistance!
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