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HomeMid-South ACFE Conference 2026 Schedule
Session Check-In & Attendance:

For 2026, we are using QR codes for check-in for each session.

Simply scan the QR code displayed at the entrance of each session using your smartphone camera or a QR code reader app. You will be directed to a short form where you will enter your name, email address, and verify your attendance. Once submitted, your check-in is confirmed and your attendance will be recorded.

We encourage you to check in at every session you attend so we can ensure accurate attendance records and provide you with the correct number of CPE hours.

Schedule:
*Subject to change.

8:30 - 9:00
Welcome & Opening Comments:

9:00 - 9:15
Presentation of Awards

Chapter CFE of the Year
Chapter Investigator of the Year
Chapter Law Enforcement Unit Excellence Award
Presidents Award

9:15 - 10:05
Session. #1 (One Hour):
Speaker: United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, Esq
Subject: Fighting Fraud in the Western District of Tennessee
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10:20 - 12:00
Session. #2 (Two Hours):
Speaker: Shawn Phillips, SCLA, CFE, CFI, CFCI, CIFI, CECFE
Subject: Insurance Fraud: The New Organized Crime?

Shawn is a results-driven leader that develops talent and consistently leverages innovation to achieve business outcomes with impact. He has a proven ability to transform vision into execution while leading diverse teams to successful outcomes. He is an experienced investigative professional leading, managing and conducting complex criminal and civil investigations with 19 years dedicated to anti-fraud programs: conducting audits and investigations to identify fraud, waste, and abuse of insurance programs to protect the integrity, financial interests, and infrastructure of insurers and their customers.

Shawn is a judiciary recognized subject matter expert in the identification, investigation and analysis of fraud schemes with a specialized focus in fire/explosion and medicolegal death investigation.

To date, Shawn has completed over 8,000 hours of specialized training and holds multiple industry professional certifications and designations. He is active in industry professional organizations, as a current or past officer/board member and has received multiple professional industry awards. He routinely lectures as a subject matter expert for Academic, Legal, Public Safety and Industry Associations.

Shawn, strives to be a servant leader and embraces the pillars of Servant Leadership. His desire is to live as a man of faith and character who puts people first, and as a skilled communicator and compassionate collaborator, who leads with moral authority.

He considers his greatest blessing to be sharing life’s adventures with his wife of 28 years, daughter and pug.
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12:00 - 13:00
Lunch

13:00 - 14:40
Session. #3 (Two Hours): Ethics
Speaker: David Alfini, Esq
Subject: Ethics

I am passionate about the defense and counseling of clients in the Aging Services space. For more than two decades, I have served nursing homes, assisted living communities, and home health and home care companies—working to develop policies and procedures, admissions contracts, and other materials to help minimize risk. This includes developing training programs for all levels of employees. I work collaboratively with clients to provide proactive advice and reactive counsel. And it starts at your office or in your community. In the event that a suit is filed, I defend the case in either trial or arbitration and have tried to verdict cases in Illinois, New York and California.

INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT Developing and leading continuing education programs is one of my favorite activities. It helps me to be part of the dialog within the industry and gives me a chance to meet and interact with a wide variety of professionals and learn the challenges that they are confronting. I am involved in numerous trade organizations, including LeadingAge Illinois and Home Care Association of America Illinois Chapter.

HINSHAW & CULBERTSON LLP I have been an attorney with Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP since November, 2000. I am currently an equity partner, Chair of the Mentoring Committee and Co-Chair of the Firm’s LGBTQ Affinity Group. One thing I am most proud of is that my firm has had a 100% rating on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index (HRC / CEI) since 2009. I am one of the individuals who participates in the submission every year and am happy to discuss the firm’s efforts.
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14:55 - 15:45
Session. #4 (One Hour):
Speaker: Brock Sain & Eric Branson
Subject: Case Study on Pharmaceutical Fraud "Foot Fraud"
                The identification, investigation, trial and conviction of Dr. Nathan Lucas.

Brock Bio:
Brock Sain serves as the Assistant Director of the Administrative Services Division.  Assistant Director Sain completed his Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry at the University of Mississippi in 2009. In 2010, he began working for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in the Forensic Services Division. During his time in Forensics, he worked in Drug Identification and Firearms and Tool Mark Identification. He also served as a Team Lead for the Violent Crime Response Team, a Firearms Instructor, Emergency Vehicle Operator Instructor, and Use of Force Simulator regional operator.

In 2020, he began working investigations as Special Agent in the Medicaid Fraud Control Division. He completed numerous workshops and training courses from the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association, and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). He is currently an associate member of the ACFE. He was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge, managing daily operations and investigations.

In 2025, he was promoted to Special Agent in Charge in Administrative Services. In this role, he handled Internal Affairs for the Bureau and managed Fleet Services, Procurement, and Warehouse. He also served as the facilities safety coordinator.

He currently oversees the Administrative Services Division which includes Human Resources, Fiscal, Protective Services, Internal Affairs, Safety, and Logistics Operations.

Eric Bio:
Eric Branson is a special agent with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Eric has substantial experience investigating healthcare fraud, spending time at both a Medicare and Medicaid contractor as well as working for the US Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Tennessee prior to becoming an agent. During that time, he has investigated fraud committed against both government and commercial insurance payors perpetrated by doctors, laboratories, pharmacies, home health agencies, durable medical equipment suppliers, and other healthcare providers. Eric graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice.
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15:45 - 16:00
Closing Comments