Author: The NGH Group, Inc.

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NGH educates divorce lawyers on tracking cryptocurrency

Image for Cryptocurrency Event Post

NGH Group President and CEO Nicholas G. Himonidis shared his cryptocurrency expertise  with the Erie County Bar Association on September 14, 2021. His online presentation on how to find and track cryptocurrency in divorce litigation was part of the group’s continuing education program.

Divorcing spouses are increasingly using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to hide assets and to conduct “secret” transactions. In his presentation, Nick educated attorneys on the benefits of digital forensics when accessing the spouse’s electronic devices and examining blockchain transactions.

He also explained the types of “wallets” a spouse may use to hold and hide cryptocurrency, how cryptocurrency exchanges work, what documents are available for attorneys to pursue, and the critical differences between “peer to peer” vs. “exchange based” cryptocurrency activity.

The presentation featured practical tips that attorneys can use in their own practices right away.

To request Mr. Himonidis as a speaker on this or other topics, call (516) 621-6500 or send an email

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NGH speaks to Nassau County attorneys about spousal digital espionage

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The Nassau County Bar Association will feature NGH Group CEO and President Nicholas G. Himonidis, J.D., CFE, CCFS, CCFI, as the guest speaker at their September 13, 2021, meeting in Mineola, N.Y. Nick will update members on legal issues that arise when litigating spouses attempt to access each other’s digital communications.

When spouses try to access their partner’s texts, emails, social media posts, and other electronic communications in a divorce or custody battle, they can potentially face significant civil and criminal liabilities. Nick will brief members on the latest federal and state laws, as well as recent court cases and the liabilities that attorneys may face.

Many spouses may believe that their relationship makes it legal to access their partner’s electronic communications, but being married to someone doesn’t give them the legal right to intercept those communications.

Not only can spouses face significant criminal and civil liabilities, but so can their attorneys.

To request Mr. Himonidis as a speaker on this or other topics, call (516) 621-6500 or send an email.

 

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NGH to speak about trends in digital evidence at ABA conference

Digital Evidence Photo from Big Stock Photo

NGH Group CEO and President Nicholas G. Himonidis, J.D., CFE, CCFS, CCFI, will speak on “New Trends in Digital Evidence and Their Effect on Matrimonial Litigation” at the American Bar Association Family Law Section Spring conference on June 17, 2021.

A leading expert on both technical and legal issues surrounding digital evidence, Nick will cover what practitioners need to know to effectively counsel clients and conduct e-discovery in family law cases, including:

  • Cloud computing
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Digital espionage (and how to prevent it)
  • Encrypted data
  • Home-based cloud video devices and services

Emerging trends in technology present new legal and technical challenges for gathering and preserving digital evidence. This presentation will highlight those challenges and offer effective solutions for dealing with them.

For more information or to register for the conference, visit the ABA website.

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Nick Himonidis addresses spousal ‘digital espionage’ in prestigious AAML Journal

Digital Espionage Photo from BigStock

In the midst of a divorce or custody battle, spouses may try to access their partner’s texts, emails, social media posts, and other electronic communications. They may be looking for evidence of infidelity, activities that raise questions about their fitness as a parent, or hidden financial assets.

They may also be looking at serious civil and criminal liabilities if they engage in this conduct and cross the line from “legitimate self-help” to “unlawful interception.”  Being married to or living with someone doesn’t grant carte blanche to read or intercept their personal communications.

In his recent article in the Journal of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (JAAML), NGH Group President and CEO Nick Himonidis outlines the legal issues involved. The article explains:

  • Applicable federal and state laws, both civil and criminal
  • Significant court cases in this area, including landmark matrimonial rulings
  • Potential civil and criminal liabilities for litigants, and potentially their attorneys

To read the article, please click here.

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Nick Himonidis Discusses Cryptocurrency Investigation with Matt Spaier of PI Perspectives

Nick Himonidis joined Matt Spaier of PI Perspectives podcast for an in depth conversation regarding the many ways in which cryptocurrency investigations come up, and some of the tools, methods and techniques being used to trace cryptocurrency transactions, locate cryptocurrency, and attribute otherwise ‘anonymous’ cryptocurrency activity to individuals and organizations.
Here’s a link to the entire podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3iwekRwosw.

The NGH Group assists attorneys, forensic accountants and other investigators with matters involving cryptocurrency on a regular basis. For more information about cryptocurrency investigation and forensics by The NGH Group, visit https://thenghgroup.com/cryptocurrency/

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Nick Himonidis discusses security tips for those working remotely

During this Covid19 Pandemic, an unprecedented number of professional have been working from home / working remotely. For many of those without a deep IT bench, or any real IT support to speak of, this can (and should) raise concerns about the security of their data and communications, which attorneys have an ethical obligation to protect. Today, on Tech Talk Law, Nick Himonidis discussed these issues with Melissa A. Kucinski, Esquire, and gave detailed advice and security tips on a number of issues from device encryption to the use of VPN’s and dedicated private wifi versus ‘free’ public wifi use. You can watch the video of the Zoom discussion on YouTube here: TechTalkLawZoomVideo

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Nick Himonidis on Cryptocurrency in Divorce Litigation at 2019 NADP conference in Ft. Lauderdale

As an expert in computer forensics, financial investigation and the highly specialized field of cryptocurrency investigation, I am very proud to have been chosen as an expert speaker at the National Association of Divorce Professionals (NADP) annual conference.  I am encouraged to see that an organization such as the NADP recognizes the growing importance of cryptocurrencies and their potential impact in divorce litigation. 

As Bitcoin (and others) have increased in value from virtually worthless a decade ago to well over $3.5K(USD) per Bitcoin today, they have also achieved wide spread acceptance as a means of exchange and as investments.  Unfortunately, their potential for use as a vehicle to hide assets and make illicit transfers by parties in matrimonial litigation is a growing and very real concern.  While Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies may be ‘psuedo anonymous – there are proven methods to identify their existence and potentially track them.  This program, presented jointly with forensic accountant Mark DiMichael of Citrin Cooperman, will provide a basic understanding of how Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies operate, discuss their potential impact on a matrimonial litigation, and provide strategies to address these risks when conducting financial discovery.      

The NADP conference is for ALL professionals that work with their clients going through the complex process of divorce.  This conference will educate and enlighten professionals in the legal, financial, mental health and real estate fields about divorce and how they can help their clients have a better experience in the process.  For more information on the conference please click here: www.thenadp.com

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Nick Himonidis Named Investigator of the Year 2018 by the Associated Licensed Detectives of New York State!

Nick Himonidis Receiving “Investigator of the Year” Award 
From the Associated Licensed Detectives of New York State

The Associated Licensed Detectives of New York State (ALDONYS) – the oldest and largest association of Private Investigators and Security Professionals in New York – awarded the prestigious Investigator of the Year Award to Nicholas Himonidis, JD, CFE, CCFS, founder and CEO of The NGH Group at their bi-annual awards dinner on November 30, 2018.  

Photos and more information about the awards ceremony and other award recipients, including former NYC Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce (ALDONYS Person of the Year) are available online at https://www.aldonys.org/posts/2018-holiday-meeting/

The official awards dinner journal is also available on ALDONYS’ website at the following:  https://www.aldonys.org/posts/2018-aldonys-journal/

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Nick Himonidis to speak at Society of Professional Investigators Meeting on November 15

On Thursday, November 15, 2018 Nick Himonidis will present a program on investigating Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies to the Society of Professional Investigators in lower Manhattan. For more information about about the event that took place in May, 2019 due to weather postponement, CLICK HERE.

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Bitcoin, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency CLE Program at St. John’s Law School Fall CLE Weekend

On Saturday November 3, 2018, Nick Himonidis, JD, CFE, CCFS, President of The NGH Group, Inc., along with co-presenter Peter Theobald of TC Forensics, presented a CLE program entitled “Bitcoin, Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies: What attorneys need to know about these revolutionary technologies, and how to uncover their existence and track them in litigation.” The program was part of the St. John’s University School of Law annual “Fall CLE Weekend” which provides two full days of CLE programs for both Seasoned Attorneys and Newly Admitted Attorneys. The Cryptocurrency program included lively discussions and demonstrations of actual Bitcoin transactions being traced on the Blockchain and received excellent reviews. (Nick Himonidis graduated St. John’s University School of Law Magna Cum Laude in 1995).