What is the consequence of not following proper procedures in a financial liability investigation?

When proper procedures in a financial liability investigation are not followed, one significant consequence is that decisions may remain unchallenged. This occurs because a lack of adherence to established protocols can lead to oversights or incomplete evaluations of the case. When the investigation does not follow the necessary steps, there is a risk that findings might be incorrect, and those involved may not have the opportunity to present their insights or concerns. As a result, erroneous conclusions may stand without being critically reviewed or contested, potentially leading to unfair or unintended outcomes.

The other options present scenarios that, while potentially valid in different contexts, do not directly capture the fundamental issue at stake when due process is not observed in these investigations. For instance, retrials might occur under specific circumstances, but it’s not a direct consequence of procedure non-compliance. Similarly, liabilities could increase or not, depending on the specifics of each case, but the immediate impact is about the challenge to decisions made during the investigation. Lastly, if procedures are not followed correctly, financial records may indeed be altered or found to be incorrect; thus, claiming they remain unchanged does not align with the consequences of ignoring proper protocols.