My Unexpected First Arrest: A Rookie IRS Special Agent’s Tale

Two weeks into my role as an IRS Special Agent in a new city, St. Louis, I got an assignment that was radically different from what I’d expected.  When one envisions criminals being arrested by IRS agents, the picture that comes to mind is usually of white-collar criminals – individuals in office buildings, donning suits, their hands dirtied by financial crimes.

However, my first arrest wasn’t as neatly packaged.  It was part of a gargantuan task – a citywide drug bust orchestrated by the DEA, IRS, and local law enforcement.  We had 6 teams, each responsible for apprehending three individuals.  The pre-op meeting, quite fittingly, was in a McDonald’s parking lot. So there we were, huddled around the senior DEA agent as he briefed us.  He held up an image and doled out a quick rundown of one particular individual.  “This case will require extra caution…” he advised, “Our intel suggests this person might have murdered a snitch just last 

While I managed to keep a composed façade, inside, I was secretly in turmoil. I’m an IRS agent, I thought, I shouldn’t be dealing with drug-dealing murders! 

We bring analytical perception, meticulous precision, and a wealth of experience to every case we handle. We believe in the power of numbers to tell stories, and we’re renowned for translating complex financial data into narratives that are easy to understand. 

In the end, we found his place empty – a small mercy for this rookie agent who had just gotten her first taste of the unexpected shades of the occupation.  Even white-collar crime enforcement, it seemed, could lead one down some very dark alleys.

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Inaugural Blog Post

Welcome to the inaugural post of our Focused Forensic Solutions weekly blog! Every week, we’ll be sharing fascinating case studies, helpful tips, behind-the-scenes stories (without naming names), and valuable insights that will demystify the world of forensic accounting. 

Welcome to the inaugural post of our Focused Forensic Solutions weekly blog! Every week, we’ll be sharing fascinating case studies, helpful tips, behind-the-scenes stories (without naming names), and valuable insights that will demystify the world of forensic accounting. 

So, what exactly is forensic accounting? At its core, it’s accounting with a detective twist. Unlike standard accounting, which involves recording and reporting financial transactions, forensic accounting goes a step further. It delves into financial records to detect discrepancies, trace hidden assets, and uncover potential fraud. It’s this investigative aspect that truly sets our profession apart.

At Focused Forensic Solutions, we excel in this niche field with a combined 89 years experience working financial investigations for the federal government. 

We bring analytical perception, meticulous precision, and a wealth of experience to every case we handle. We believe in the power of numbers to tell stories, and we’re renowned for translating complex financial data into narratives that are easy to understand. 

Our ultimate aim? To bring clarity to your financial situations, to illuminate the dark corners of financial uncertainty, and to ensure that you’re equipped with the accurate, comprehensive information you need to make sound decisions. So, join us on this journey to eliminate the uncertainty. We’re here to help you navigate the maze of numbers and make your financial future clear. Stay tuned for our next post next week!

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