Stefano Vranca

Stefano’s professional experience includes:

• Conducted an internal investigation related to allegations of fraud and wrongdoing on behalf of an independent wealth management firm. Conducted analysis of annuity statements, summary of accounts managed by the advisor, revenue by product mix and account base, asset tracing, and prepared statements for the clients that were harmed by the fraud. Prepared a report of findings used by the firm and outside counsel to self-disclose to the SEC.
• Assisted counsel as a forensic, damage, and valuation expert in a multimillion dollar suit brought by three investors against a prominent law firm. The plaintiffs alleged that the firm failed to protect their interests in a series of transactions involving an Atlanta real estate developer. The jury found the firm liable for fraudulent concealment, constructive fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, legal malpractice, and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing and awarded the plaintiffs $34.5 million in compensatory damages.
• Assisted counsel in determining damages and lost profits in a large broker dealer dispute where a senior advisor decided to leave its current firm to become a Register Independent Advisor (RIA). The matter involved claims of alleged defamation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and trade secrets violations. Estimated alleged damages and created “But For” scenarios, including the determination of a discount rate, analysis of monthly legacy accounts transferred to the new company, and review of the advisor’s historical compensation.
• Assisted counsel in calculating direct, derivatives damages and lost profits in a shareholder dispute involving the world’s largest wine distributor. Investigated the alleged breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and unjust enrichment claims. Assisted counsel in preparing a valuation of the domain and various pre-money and post money valuations at several financing rounds.
• Assisted counsel in a multimillion dollar suit brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under section 13 (b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act, alleging false representation and unfair business practices. He was engaged to review relevant information in the case and to assess whether funds from the sales of certain products were traceable and identifiable directly to the defendant.
• Assisted counsel in a multimillion dollar investigation related to several aspects of the advertising contract for the national anti-drug media campaign. Assisted the agency in restructuring time-keeping policies, accounting and billing systems, and helped quantify damages incurred by government. Conducted settlement negotiations with Defense Contract Audit Agency, Department of Health and Humans Services, Office of National Drug Campaign, Navy, and Department of Justice.
• Assisted counsel as a forensic and damage expert in a multimillion dollar suit brought by investors seeking relief on their Eleventh Cause of Action for legal malpractice and seeking compensatory damages from a real estate developer.
• Prepared a rebuttal report of the Phd expert selected by the FTC. The analysis consisted of complex processes utilized in a forensic accounting review to establish the source and use of assets by recreating the steps through which the assets progressed to their ownership form.
• Worked with an insurance client to respond to a complex representations and warranties claim. Analyzed due dligence materials and reviewed valuation models to understand the basis of the original purchase price. Helped the client to successfully argue that damages should be expressed in terms of lost profits, as opposed to a purchase price adjustment, given the lack of a material, recurring impact from a diminished customer relationship that was allegedly not disclosed to the buyer (insured) prior to closing.
• Investigated allegations of a kickback scheme taking place in a major U.S. chemical corporation’s facility in Milan, Italy. Performed in-depth analyses of company books and records and conducted extensive interviews with current and former employees, determining which were directly involved and calculated financial damages.
• Assisted counsel in determining damages and lost profits in a breach of contract dispute. Reviewed complex financial transactions, accounting issues related to several businesses, and the estimation of value of several real estate properties.
• Performed contract compliance reviews and contract costs audits of third parties for several major Hollywood studios regarding allocation of distribution costs for cable and pay television, home video, theatrical, and non-theatrical. Performed due diligence audits in relation to a variety of products distributed, produced, and/or manufactured by third parties on behalf of the studios.