Murder at a CPA Firm

Source: Bowman First Alert

Bowman reports that a shooting at Gordon Advisors in Troy, Michigan, occurred just about a week before the tax deadline. Sixty-three-year-old Madeline Kafoury had been retired but came back to help with tax season. She was shot and killed by a recently fired employee, Anthony LaCalamita. Managing Partner Alan Steinberg and Partner Paul Riva were also shot, but their conditions were not known at the time of the Bowman report.

LaCalamita entered the unguarded building with a 12-gauge shotgun, went to the second floor and shot those he said were responsible for his dismissal. He may have intended to shoot a fourth person, who was not in the office at the time. He was captured and awaiting charges at the time of the Bowman report.

Employees did not know why LaCalamita was fired, thought he left amicably, and didn’t suspect him of being violent. His wife, from whom he’s separated, said he has a bipolar disorder and has been in a severe depression.

An article in the April 10 Detroit Free Press offers this advice on how to prevent office shootings:

• Firings should occur before the day of dismissal. Give people time to find a new job—30 to 60 days. Don’t fire them and escort them out of the office under security to prevent them from taking company property or documents. Few employees do that.
• Conduct an exit interview to determine, among other things, how the person is dealing with the dismissal.
• Neutralize the person’s anger by avoiding a rush out the door. Advise the person of his rights and severance benefits.
• Conduct the process with dignity.
• Avoid Friday firings so the employee doesn’t build anger during the weekend.
• Try to identify problem employees and help them get counseling.

From Bowman First Alert, the Bowman Accounting Report, Vol. IV No.5, Bowman Communications, 323 Wilcrest Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30044-5253, 770-972-0783.