-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Fr6/33/aLs6Ppfe7HV0KHoJkyo8Q4vdFQaeMEEr+i+Jl1nc2pxRJ563QeRC9Pvy8 FP9AJas+iZwjhc21nCJJIg== 0001144204-03-002983.txt : 20030604 0001144204-03-002983.hdr.sgml : 20030604 20030604172805 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001144204-03-002983 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20030604 ITEM INFORMATION: Changes in registrant's certifying accountant ITEM INFORMATION: Financial statements and exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20030604 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MEGO FINANCIAL CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000736035 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: REAL ESTATE DEALERS (FOR THEIR OWN ACCOUNT) [6532] IRS NUMBER: 135629885 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-08645 FILM NUMBER: 03733084 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1645 VILLAGE CENTER CIRCLE # 200 CITY: LAS VEGAS STATE: NV ZIP: 89134 BUSINESS PHONE: 7029924200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1645 VILLAGE CENTER CIRCLE #200 CITY: LAS VEGAS STATE: NV ZIP: 89134 8-K/A 1 doc1.txt SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K / A CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED) June 4, 2003 MEGO FINANCIAL CORP. ------------------------------------------------------ (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) NEW YORK 1-8645 13-5629885 (STATE OR OTHER (COMMISSION (IRS EMPLOYER JURISDICTION OF FILE NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NO.) FORMATION) 1645 VILLAGE CENTER CIRCLE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89134 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE) REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE (702) 992-4200 ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT The Company's Form 8-K dated April 14, 2003, reporting the resignation of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company's certifying accountant is revised and amended in its entirety as follows: On April 2, 2003, the auditors from BDO Seidman, LLP ("BDO") met with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company. Based on the financial results of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2002, Management concurred with BDO's proposed conclusion that a "going concern" qualification would be required. There were no accounting disagreements. Prior to the date BDO met with the Company's Audit Committee, BDO had expressed its serious concerns to the Company about the issuance of numerous checks drawn against accounts with insufficient funds. BDO inquired as to whether the Company had instituted appropriate procedures to stop the issuance of insufficient checks. On April 8, 2003, the Company received a letter from BDO, also dated April 8, 2003, stating in its entirety: "This will confirm that the client-auditor relationship between Mego Financial Corp. (Commission File Number 1-8645) and BDO Seidman, LLP has ceased." BDO was engaged in December 2002 to conduct the audit of the Company's financial statements for its year ended December 31, 2002, and has not rendered any reports on the Company's financial statements. On that same date, the Company was advised by BDO that BDO had received a memorandum containing allegations of financial irregularities from a previously terminated employee whose allegations, if true, would be a reportable event. After being advised by BDO of the allegations of the terminated employee contained in the memorandum and BDO's resignation, the Company's Audit Committee, acting in a specially called meeting on April 9, 2003, launched both an internal and external investigation into the allegations contained in the memorandum. BDO did not discuss the allegations contained in the employee's memorandum with the Audit Committee, although it did discuss accounting areas related to such allegations. The Audit Committee, through its counsel, engaged L.J. Soldinger Associates, LLC to review the allegations made by the terminated employee. A copy of L.J. Soldinger's engagement letter is provided as Exhibit 03-9. A copy of the summary of L.J. Soldinger's investigation into the terminated employee's allegations is included as Exhibit 03-10. The Audit Committee has selected Singer Lewak Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP ("SLGG") as the Company's new independent accountant as of April 28, 2003. Prior to such date, the Company did not consult with SLGG regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, (ii) the type of audit opinion that might be rendered by SLGG on the Company's financial statements, or (iii) any other matter that was the subject of a disagreement between the Company and its auditor (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and its related instructions) or a reportable event (as described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K). ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS Exhibit 03-9. Engagement Letter, LJ Soldinger and Associates. Exhibit 03-10. Letter, LJ Soldinger to Leisure Industries. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. MEGO FINANCIAL CORP. By: / s / Floyd W. Kephart ----------------------------------- Floyd W. Kephart Chairman of the Board Dated: June 4, 2003 EX-3.9 3 doc2.txt EXHIBIT 3.9 LJS [LJ SOLDINGER ASSOCIATES Letterhead] April 13, 2003 VIA FACSIMILE Mr. Spencer I. Browne, Audit Committee Chairman Mego Financial Corp. d/b/a/ Leisure Industries, Inc. 4310 paradise Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 Dear Mr. Browne, This will confirm the understanding and agreement between LJ Soldinger Associates, Ltd. ("LJSA") and Mego Financial Corp. d/b/a Leisure Industries, Inc. (the "Company") as follows: The Company hereby engages LJSA to perform such procedures as LJSA, in its sole discretion, deems necessary and appropriate in the review and analysis of the Company's books and records in order for LJSA to make a determination, in its sole discretion, whether to be further retained by the Company to: 1) Assist Mego in meeting accounting disclosure requirements required of a "public reporting company" under the Securities Act of 1934 related to Form 10K annual reporting. Form 10Q quarterly reporting, Form 8-K event reporting, etc. 2) Audit the financial statements of Mego for the year ending December 31, 2002 which are to be included in the Form 10K proposed to be filed by the Company under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934; and 3) Revise the quarterly financial statements which are to be included in the quarterly reports (Form 10Q) proposed to be filed by the Company under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Mr. Spencer I. Browne Mego Financial Corp. d/b/a Leisure Industries, Inc. April 13, 2003 Page Two The Company will cooperate fully with LJSA in connection with its review and analysis, and will provide LJSA with such information concerning the Company as LJSA, in its sole discretion, deems necessary for its review and analysis in order for LJSA to make a determination as to whether or not LJSA will agree to be further engaged by the Board. All such information provided by the Company will be complete and accurate in all material respects and not misleading. LJSA will not audit, compile or review the Company's financial statements or other data, and will not express an opinion or any form of assurance on them. This engagement cannot be relied upon to disclose errors, fraud or other illegal acts that may exist. At the conclusion of this engagement, LJSA will advise the Company whether to be engaged by the Company to perform the services as detailed in the second paragraph of this letter. It is understood that LJSA will be prepared to enter into an acceptable engagement letter with the company to perform the services as detailed in the second paragraph of this letter, provided that upon the completion of this engagement (1) LJSA is satisfied that the Company did not knowingly and intentionally release NSF checks, (2) LJSA is satisfied that the Company's use of the Home Owners Associate Trust Fund money that it manages was legal and that it is properly documented; (3) LJSA is satisfied that the Company is current with respect to its 40l(k) trust fund deposits; (4) LJSA is satisfied with the outcome of any discussions that it intends to have with BDO Seidman, LLP, ("BDO") regarding (i) BDO's resignation from the 2002 Company audit engagement and (ii) the Understein April 8, 2003 memo; and (5) no further material adverse information about the Company has come to LJSA's attention that, in its sole reasonable discretion, would prevent LJSA from wanting to be retained to perform the services detailed in the second paragraph of this letter. Upon completion of this engagement, should LJSA be prepared to perform the services as detailed in the second paragraph, it will commence the audit work immediately upon the execution of an acceptable engagement letter describing the work to be performed. Should LJSA not wish to proceed with the services detailed in the second paragraph of this letter, it will orally advise the Audit Committee of its reasons not to proceed. Our fee for these services will be based on the actual time spent at our standard hourly rates, plus any out of pocket costs incurred on the Company's behalf. Our standard hourly rates vary according to the degree of responsibility involved and the experience level of the personnel assigned to this engagement. We will request payment in advance for all of our work in this engagement. And our invoices will be presented periodically as work progresses. In accordance with our firm policies, work may be suspended if payment is not received and will not be resumed until the Company's account is paid in full. If we elect to terminate our services for nonpayment, the Company will be obligated to compensate us for all time expended and to reimburse us for all out-of-pocket expenditures through the date of termination. You have agreed that the Company will pay us $50,000 prior to our commencing to work on this engagement, of which $37,503.25 will be applied to our existing outstanding invoices form a prior engagement and $12,496.75 will be applied toward this engagement, with any remaining amounts refunded or applied as a prepayment against out future invoices. Mr. Spencer I. Browne Mego Financial Corp. d/b/a Leisure Industries, Inc. April 13, 2003 Page Three We appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you and the Company and believe this letter accurately summarizes the terms of our engagement. If you have any questions, please let us know. If you agree with the terms of our engagement as described in this letter, pleas sign the enclosed copy and return it to us. Sincerely L.J SOLDINGER ASSOCIATES /s/ Larry J. Soldinger, - ----------------------------- Larry J. Soldinger, President Accepted: MEGO FINANCIAL CORP. d/b/a LEISURE INDUSTRIES, INC. By ---------------------------------------- Spencer I. Browne, Audit Committee Chairman LJS: ths cc: Mr. Gary Levenstein EX-3.10 4 doc3.txt EXHIBIT 3.10 LJS [LJ SOLDINGER ASSOCIATES Letterhead] May 27, 2003 VIA U.S POSTAL SERVICE Mr. Spencer I. Browne, Audit Committee Chairman Mego Financial Corp. d/b/a Leisure Industries, Inc. 4310 Paradise Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 Dear Mr. Browne, LJ Soldinger Associates, Ltd. ("LJSA") began due diligence field work on April 21, 2003 in accordance with our April 13, 2003 engagement letter with Leisure Industries (the "Company"). As set forth in the engagement letter, our first task was to determine whether LJSA would accept the engagement to audit the Company's financial statements for its year ended December 31, 2002. Subsequent to April 13, 2003, the Audit Committee advised us that because LJSA had been previously engaged to deliver a "fairness opinion" as part of a pending Company acquisition, the Audit Committee (because of the Committee's desire to avoid any appearance of conflict) had engaged Singer Lewak Greenbaum & Goldstein LLP ("Singer Lewak") to audit the Company's 2002 financial statements. However, the Audit Committee advised LJSA, at that time, that it desired to engage LJSA to investigate certain allegations made by Mr. Robert Understein, an ex-employee of the Company, in a Memorandum to BDO Seidman LLP dated April 8, 2003. Our initial field work began at the Company's Las Vegas offices between April 21st thru April 24th and then continued in our offices until April 30th. During this period, LJSA did not uncover any financial improprieties or other irregularities that would have prevented LJSA from accepting the engagement to audit the Company's financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002. After discussing our preliminary findings with you and Gary Levenstein, Esq., acting counsel to the Audit Committee, you determined that since Singer Lewak had been engaged to audit the Company's 2002 financial statements, it would not be cost effective for LJSA to conduct further due diligence since our work would have to be duplicated as part of the audit by Singer Lewak. Based upon our telephone discussion at the conclusion of our initial ten days of work, and based upon our findings and telephone calls with you and Gary Levenstein, as per your request we have performed no additional work on this engagement, with the exception of the preparation of this letter. We have summarized below our findings regarding the allegations outlined in Robert Understein's Memorandum to BDO Seidman based on our ten days of due diligence. Mr. Spencer I. Browne May 27, 2003 Page 2 401K WITHHOLDINGS AND PAYMENTS The Company provided LJSA with a schedule summarizing the Company's 401K liability and the related payment for each weekly payroll for the period October 4, 2002 through April 18, 2003. LJSA compared the information provided to printouts from Principal Financial Group's website and traced the wire transfers reported on the printouts to the Company's bank statements. Principal Financial Group is the Company's 401K Plan Administrator. There were no exceptions. Accordingly, the wire transfers, as reflected on the bank statements and on the website, evidenced that the Company first became delinquent in its deposits of the 401K contributions beginning with the January 17, 2003 payroll. That payment was approximately three weeks late. The Company's payments remained approximately three weeks late through the February 28, 2003 payroll. At the time of our fieldwork, the Company had not yet submitted the March payment of $60,281 by the due date. Per Shari Spencer ("Shari"), Chief Financial Officer, the Company was not certain that the payment, if made, would clear the Company's bank account. We were subsequently advised by Shari that the payment for the March 401K liability had been submitted on April 24, 2003. We did not perform additional procedures to verify this. Per Kim Martin("Kim"), Payroll Department Manager, the Company's 401K Plan requires submission of all withholdings within fifteen business days after month end. We did not perform additional procedures to verify this. Based on the payment obligation, as described to us, the deposit for the April withholdings of approximately $60,000 was due, but had not become delinquent, as of the date you requested us to stop work. PAYROLL TAX WITHHOLDINGS AND DEPOSITS As of March 31, 2003, the Company owed approximately $17,200 in delinquent payroll taxes for the quarter ended September 30, 2002 ("Q3, 2002"), which was subsequently paid on April 21, 2003, $1,217,000 for the quarter ended December 31, 2002 ("Q4, 2002"), and $2,440,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2003 ("Q1, 2003"). These amounts do not include penalties and interest, which may be substantial. Additionally, the Q4, 2002 payroll tax returns were not timely filed on January 31, 2003. Per Kim, the Company filed the Q4, 2002 payroll tax returns on April 25, 2003. She also advised us that the Q1, 2003 returns were filed when due on April 30, 2003. The Company's problems regarding late deposits on its payroll taxes began in November of 2002, when the Company's deposits were being returned by the bank because of insufficient funds. All payroll taxes related to Q3, 2002 were paid with the exception of the State Unemployment Insurance payment to the State of Nevada, amounting to $52,720. That check was returned for non-sufficient funds in November 2002, but the amount has subsequently been paid in full. The Company's payroll tax deposits continued to be returned through at least the date of our field work. Per Shari and Kim, during 2002 the Payroll Department was responsible for submitting the payroll tax deposits. Upon submission of the wire transfer for the deposit, the Payroll Department would inform the Cash Management Department that the wire had been sent. The Cash Management Department would then attempt to have sufficient funds available to cover the deposits. However, sufficient funds were not available to clear the deposits along with the checks that were also being presented for payment on the same days. We were told by Shari and Kim that management had advised the Payroll Department in January 2003 to stop submitting the payroll tax payments since funds were not available to clear any such payments. However, we found that although most payroll tax deposits were not submitted subsequent to December 31, 2002 (none by Leisure Industries Corporation), wire transfers for Leisure Homes Corporation were still being transmitted through the dates of our fieldwork, with the majority of the payments being returned. Mr. Spencer I. Browne May 27, 2003 Page 3 We were advised by Shari and Kim that during 2002 Adventure Bounds and Cheap Seats made their respective payroll tax payments. We reviewed their Q3 & Q4 2002 payroll tax returns, and these companies appeared to be in compliance with their 2002 payroll tax responsibilities. We did not perform additional procedures to verify this. With the exception of possibly some small payments that may have cleared the bank, the Company did not make any payroll tax deposits during April 2003. We estimate that the Company's payroll tax liability for these unpaid deposits is approximately $900,000 for the month of April, plus penalties and interest. The Company also is likely continuing to incur penalties and interest on all of its unpaid taxes. RETURNED CHECKS The Company provided LJSA with a spreadsheet listing the Company's returned checks and their ultimate resolution. The spreadsheet reflected that from October 31, 2002 through April 11, 2003, the Company had approximately 575 checks returned totaling approximately $6,400,000. Of the $6,400,000, the spreadsheet reflected that all but 176 checks totaling $115,000 were resolved and 142 checks totaling $2,600,000 cleared the bank on the second presentment. We traced all returned items on the Company's bank statements for the corresponding period to the spreadsheet and verified the check number, amount, date returned and the second returned date. We noted that 33 checks totaling $630,000 identified as returned on the bank statements were not included in the Company's spreadsheet, and 39 checks totaling $779,000 listed on the Company's spreadsheet could not be found as returned on the bank statements. We also noted an additional 46 checks which totaled $13,000 had been returned after April 11, 2003. In addition to all of the returned checks noted above, we found 18 payroll tax wires amounting to $1,649,262 that had also been returned. We did not perform additional procedures to search for additional returned items. We were advised by Shari and Kim that on March 31, 2003, two of the Company's main operating accounts and one payroll account had been frozen as a result of a lawsuit. We were further advised that this action froze approximately $100,000 of the Company's funds and triggered the March 31, 2003 payroll to be returned as well as many other vendor checks that had been released as of March 31, 2003. 142 vendor checks were returned from April 1, 2003 through April 11, 2003. The Company subsequently began using other bank accounts for its payroll and operating activities. As of the last day of our field work, we were advised that the Company had replaced $224,000 of the $235,000 payroll checks that had been returned. We did not perform additional procedures to verify this. At the time the Company began having its checks returned on October 31, 2002, the Company had a substantial cash deficit book balance. In November 2002, the Company was able to resolve the initial returned checks fairly quickly; however, as the months progressed, time between the first presentment of the checks and the resolution of those items became longer, sometimes weeks. HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION FUNDS At the time you requested us to stop work on our engagement, the Company had provided LJSA with only a small portion of the documentation necessary in order for LJSA to perform due diligence on this area of the engagement. There are numerous transactions between the Company and the Homeowners Association ("HOA"). We were advised by Shari that after we were engaged, the Company retained an outside certified public accountant to review Mr. Spencer I. Browne May 27, 2003 Page 4 and analyze the majority of the documentation and the transactions between the Company and the HOA from January 1, 2002 to the present. We did not have the opportunity to test whether the transactions were properly documented on the Company's books and records, but we have been advised by Shari that the outside certified public accountant is performing such analysis. We were not engaged to determine nor do we have knowledge as to whether or not the use of the HOA funds by the Company was of a legal nature. You should rely upon legal counsel for such an opinion. Tom Thomas and I are available to respond to any questions that you or the Company's Directors may have. We are also available to continue to perform further due diligence procedures on any portion of our suspended engagement, should you request us to do so. Sincerely L.J SOLDINGER ASSOCIATES, LTD. /s/ Larry J. Soldinger, - ----------------------------- Larry J. Soldinger President LJS: ths -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----