through the 1996 audit Andersen partner Phillip Harlow allegedly became aware of several accounting practices that failed to comply with GAAP. In particular,he allegedly knew about Sunbeam improper restructuring costs,excessivelitigation reserves,and an excessive cooperative advertising figure.
Harlow also allegedly discovered several items that were not compliant with GAAP during the 1997 audit. these items related to revenut, restructuring reserves,and inventory in particular. inseveral cases Harlow made proposed adjustments that management refused to make. in response to management'srefusal,Harlow acquiesced,however.by the end of 1997 it appears that Harlow knew that approximately 16 percent of sunbeam reported 1997 income came from items that he found to be noncompliant with GAAP. in fact, at least 62 million of sunbeam reported 189 million of income before tax failed to comply with GAAP.