DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Mar. 17, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Present value of accrued payout due to owner	$ 3,400,000
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	2,200,000	(8,000)	[1]	(14,000)	[1]	(16,000)	[1]	(20,000)	[1]	(26,000)	[2]	(23,000)	[2]	(2,153,000)	[2]	0	[2]	(58,000)	(2,202,000)	622,000
Real estate loan commitment		$ 862,000								$ 2,147,000								$ 862,000	$ 2,147,000

[1] Fiscal 2012 – significant events by quarter:•December 31 – included a $8.7 million ($6.9 million net of tax) gain on the deconsolidation of LEAF ($0.35 per share-diluted) and a $2.2 million ($1.7 million net of tax, or $0.09 per share-diluted) loss on the extinguishment of debt in conjunction with the modification and partial redemption of the Company's Senior Notes in November 2011.•March 31 – included a restructuring charge of $365,000 ($233,000 net of tax, or $0.01 per share-diluted) which consisted of severance and benefits for terminated employees; the decrease in staffing levels reflected the Company's decreased overhead requirements as a result of the sale of Apidos and the recapitalization of LEAF.•June 30 – included a $54.7 million ($33.8 million net of tax, or $1.61 per share-diluted) gain on the sale of Apidos, offset, in part, by a $5.7 million ($3.5 million net of tax, or $0.17 per share diluted) provision for credit losses related to management fees owed from three of the commercial finance investment entities that, based on a change in estimated cash flows, were not expected to be collectible. •September 30 – included an additional $6.3 million ($2.3 million net of tax, or $0.11 per share-diluted) provision for credit losses related to management fees owed from three of the commercial finance investment entities and a $2.2 million ($812,000 net of tax, or $0.04 per share diluted) impairment charge on a legacy real estate investment.

[2] Fiscal 2011 – significant events by quarter:•December 31 – included a net gain of $5.1 million ($3.2 million net of tax, or $0.17 per share-diluted) on the sale of the Company’s management contract and equity investment in REM I.•March 31 – included a $3.4 million ($2.2 million net of tax, or $0.11 per share-diluted) loss from discontinued operations in connection with the March 2006 sale of a real estate loan in which the Company agreed to make payments under certain circumstances to the owner. In March 2011, a triggering event occurred.•June 30 – included a $7.6 million ($3.3 million net of tax, or $0.17 per share-diluted) equity gain based on the Company’s interest in an office building that was sold in Washington, DC.•September 30 – the gain related to the third quarter sale of the Washington, DC building increased by $800,000 ($361,000 net of tax, or $0.02 per share-diluted) based on the release of funds from escrow.