Business news in brief

REGION

Tax-preparation training

WARREN — Liberty Tax Service is offering tax-preparer training classes this fall. Class schedules are flexible with day and evening classes available twice a week for 10 weeks. There is a minimal charge for books and supplies. Tax schools start after Labor Day, and Liberty Tax Service is actively recruiting bilingual students. Registration and other details about Liberty Tax Service’s fall income-tax schools are available at www.libertytax.com or by calling (800) 658-1042.

Online networking group

LAKE MILTON — The Biz Society.com, an online networking community dedicated to helping small businesses grow by bringing the business and the consumer together, is seeking business owners and consumers to join the group. It has features such as a business directory, live chat, forums and other resources to help open doors and create a unique networking environment for businesses. It allows consumers to receive more information by connecting directly with other consumers and local business owners.

“We want to provide the resources needed to make small businesses successful and therefore help the community also be successful.” said Kim Cross, President of The Biz Society. Starting in September, The Biz Society will begin hosting local business-to-business networking events. Portions of the proceeds will go back into the local communities. For more information, visit www.thebizsociety.com or call toll free at (877) 756-1955.

NATION

Ex-Madoff CFO near deal

NEW YORK — Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have signaled the former chief financial officer at Bernard Madoff’s firm may be close to a plea deal.

Prosecutors notified the court Friday that they intend to bring unspecified charges against Frank DiPascali by filing papers that usually indicate a plea deal is in the works. Both prosecutors and DiPascali’s lawyers declined to comment.

DiPascali worked closely with Madoff before the disgraced financier admitted last year his investment advisory business was a giant Ponzi scheme that victimized thousands of investors. The 71-year-old Madoff is serving a 150-year prison sentence.

Vindicator staff and wire reports