In memoriam John J. Costello: forensic accountant extraordinaire.

• Author: Costello, John J.
• Position: Obituary

John J. Costello, 73, passed away March 15 after a brief battle with a form of leukemia.

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Costello was born Feb. 12, 1937, to a railroad man and a schoolteacher in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He attended the University of Idaho on a football scholarship and after graduating served as an officer in the United States Navy. Upon completing his tour in 1961, Costello settled in Long Beach, where he started a family and lived for 49 years.

Costello began a successful professional career, reaching partner at the CPA firm of Arthur Young & Company (later Ernst & Young). His groundbreaking work as a litigation forensic accountant continued for an additional 15 years with Gursey, Schneider & Co. LLP and...