BDO Consulting Appoints Ralph Fatigate, Former Director of Investigations for NYS Banking Department, to Lead Mortgage Lending Investigative Unit

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BDO Consulting, a division of BDO Seidman, LLP, one of the nation’s leading professional services organizations, today announced that Managing Director Ralph Fatigate, who was formerly Director of Investigations at the New York State Banking Department, will lead the firm’s Mortgage Lending Investigative Unit.

“Ralph Fatigate has a wealth of knowledge on mortgage lending issues stemming from his extensive experience coordinating and supervising some of the most complex mortgage related investigations in the country. His experience, both as a regulator and a consultant, lends valuable insight to clients in managing their issues related to the current industry crisis,” stated Carl W. Pergola, Executive Director of BDO Consulting.

Ralph Fatigate noted that, “The ripple effect caused by the mortgage crisis has seeped into every level of the transaction process. From those entities who originated loans to those who packaged, sold or insured products based on those loans, there will likely be a need to respond to regulatory investigations or civil litigation as various parties seek to shift blame and the ultimate cost of the problem. To limit financial exposure, I expect many entities will undertake their own investigation and conduct some form of due diligence to analyze the transaction process.”

Fatigate added, “I have daily conversations with law firms representing affected parties, as well as the organizations themselves, to discuss the strategies and resources needed to assist them in identifying causation and exposure issues. The resources range from knowledgeable professionals conducting document and system reviews, to comprehensive background checks on individuals. Where information today is largely in an electronic or email format, entities should leverage computer forensics and data analysis capabilities to conduct mass data reviews. Looking forward, entities may consider monitoring systems to help facilitate remediation efforts and avoid future problems.”

BDO Consulting’s Mortgage Lending Investigative Unit is uniquely positioned to assist organizations in managing the myriad of issues resulting from the current economic environment. BDO Consulting offers public and private sector clients a wide array of investigative services, by coupling direct industry knowledge with dedicated capabilities in transaction analyses, investigative due diligence, computer forensics and monitoring.

The firm’s seasoned professionals have conducted financial and non-financial investigations domestically and internationally, in rapid response to allegations of suspected fraud, wrongdoing, corporate misconduct, as well as in the protection and recovery of assets. BDO Consulting’s diverse group includes former law enforcement, federal and local prosecutors, licensed private investigators and bank officers that have investigated and prosecuted mortgage related crimes.

About BDO Consulting

BDO Consulting, a division of BDO Seidman, LLP, provides litigation, investigation, restructuring and risk advisory services to major corporations, law firms, insurance companies, financial services entities, and government organizations. Our highly experienced and well credentialed professionals draw upon a range of industry knowledge and completed consulting engagements throughout the United States and internationally to provide clients with unparalleled service. BDO Consulting leverages the global industry and accounting knowledge of the BDO International network, providing rapid, strategic advice to assist our clients with dispute resolution, risk management, financial solvency and regulatory compliance issues.

About BDO Seidman, LLP

BDO Seidman, LLP is a national professional services firm providing assurance, tax, financial advisory and consulting services to a wide range of publicly traded and privately held companies. Guided by core values including, competence, honesty and integrity, professionalism, dedication, responsibility and accountability for almost 100 years, we have provided quality service and leadership through the active involvement of our most experienced and committed professionals.

BDO Seidman serves clients through 37 offices and more than 400 independent alliance firm locations nationwide. As a Member Firm of BDO International, BDO Seidman, LLP serves multi-national clients by leveraging a global network of resources comprised of 626 Member Firm offices in 110 countries. BDO International is a worldwide network of public accounting firms, called BDO Member Firms, serving international clients. Each BDO Member Firm is an independent legal entity in its own country.