UC's ECI Names New Board Members

Fraud Investigators McDermott, Sullivan Offer Wealth of Experience

Written By Christine Leogrande

John McDermott and Peter Sullivan bring wealth of experience to ECI board of advisors

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Contact

cleogrande@utica.edu

Utica, NY (04/17/2008)

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The Economic Crime Institute (ECI) of Utica College has announced the appointment of two experts in the field to the institute’s advisory board: 

• John E. McDermott, retired federal agent and current vice president, corporate compliance investigator for the software company CA; and 
  
• Peter D. Sullivan, assistant director of Monsanto Global Security, and former U.S. postal inspector. 

Both McDermott and Sullivan have extensive experience in investigating many types of fraud. The ECI board, a thought leader in the field of economic crime, has recently accepted responsibility for advising Utica College on its cutting-edge identity theft, information protection and cybersecurity programs. 

McDermott brings more than 28 years of law enforcement experience, including supervising one of the most successful fraud investigation teams in the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. At one time, he led a task force responsible for the prosecution and conviction of more than 150 individuals for securities fraud violations, as well as the closing of eight corrupt stock brokerage firms. 

Recognized in 2000 as the Investigator of the Year by the Federal Law Enforcement Association, McDermott has been awarded the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s highest honor, the Chief Inspector’s Award. He has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal regarding securities fraud investigations, and earned a credited role in the Oscar-nominated documentary on child exploitation, “Capturing the Friedmans.” 

Sullivan is responsible for international security matters for Monsanto, and manages the investigations and asset protection functions, including the investigations team and security vulnerability assessments team. Representing Monsanto on an industry-wide anti-counterfeiting steering committee, Sullivan also represents the global security organization on the company’s business conduct team. 

Sullivan’s previous experience includes a 25-year career as a postal inspector and team leader, and he as also a recipient of the Chief Inspector’s Award. He led a team of postal inspectors and fraud analysts engaged in combating international telemarketing fraud, insurance fraud, investment fraud, corporate fraud, public corruption and bankruptcy fraud. Through his leadership this team investigated and prosecuted several high profile cases which resulted in over $1.3 billion in financial recoveries. A former instructor for the Postal Inspection Service’s basic and advanced fraud training courses, he also served as an instructor in mail and wire fraud investigations for the U.S. Department of Justice National Advocacy Center, National Association of Attorneys General, and numerous police and insurance fraud organizations. 

Formed in 1988, the Economic Crime Institute of Utica College has been instrumental in the development of cutting-edge academic programs, as well as the establishment of the Center for Identity Management and Information Protection (CIMIP), a research entity conducting landmark studies on identity theft and related crimes. ECI provides a resource for innovative solutions to corporate, government, and law enforcement entities, as well as a national forum for the exchange of ideas on economic crime and fraud management. 

Utica College has pioneered the education of professionals who detect, prosecute and prevent economic crime. Home to both ECI and CIMIP, the college has led the nation in establishing an undergraduate degree in economic crime investigation, and a master’s degree in economic crime management. 

Todd S. Hutton, Ph.D., president of Utica College, said, “We are pleased to welcome John and Peter to the ECI board. Their tremendous expertise will be invaluable as we chart a new course of educating the economic crime investigators of tomorrow.”


About Utica College – Founded in 1946, Utica College is a comprehensive private institution founded by Syracuse University. The College, located in central New York, approximately 90 miles west of Albany and 50 miles east of Syracuse, currently enrolls approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students in 34 undergraduate majors, 27 minors, 14 master’s and two doctoral degree programs.

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