Washington DC Investigators

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest private investigator in Washington DC. Jason Siroff of The Siroff Group, LLC provides investigative services throughout Washington DC and Virginia (Nationwide service also available). Please visit Jason's PInow.com profile page for specific services provided and contact information.

Visit their PInow.com profile page for more info: The Siroff Group, LLC

Twin Falls Idaho Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest private investigator in Twin Falls Idaho. Stuart Robinson of S Robinson & Associates Investigative Services provides private investigative services throughout Southern Idaho; Twin Falls, Rupert, Burley, Jerome, Gooding, Wendill, Filer, Buhl and Hagerman, Idaho. Please visit Stuart's PInow.com profile page for specific services provided and contact information.

Visit their PInow.com profile page for more info: S Robinson & Associates Investigative Services

Schofield Wisconsin Investigators

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest private investigator in Schofield Wisconsin. Frederick J. Veenstra of Veenstra Detective Agency, Inc. provides private investigative services throughout Central &Northern Wisconsin, and has been since 1994. Please visit Frederick's PInow.com profile page for specific services provided and contact information.

Visit their PInow.com profile page for more info: Veenstra Detective Agency, Inc.

Beaumont Texas Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest private investigator in Beaumont Texas. Brad Bacom of Bacom Investigation & Process Service provides private investigative services throughout Southeast Texas, and has been since 1995. Please visit Max's PInow.com profile page for specific services provided and contact information.

Visit their PInow.com profile page for more info: Bacom Investigation & Process Service

Huntersville North Carolina Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest private investigator in Huntersville North Carolina. Max Astor of Worldwide Investigation Services, L.L.C. provides private investigative services throughout the entire state of North Carolina and Nationwide, as well as Worldwide. Please visit Max's PInow.com profile page for specific services provided and contact information.

Visit their PInow.com profile page for more info: Worldwide Investigation Services, L.L.C.

Cleveland Ohio Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest private investigator in Cleveland Ohio. Daniel McPeek of Tenable Protective Services operates a full-service private investigations firm, with offices in Cleveland, Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan, Washington D.C., Indiana, Arizona and Penn, New York. Please visit Daniel's PInow.com profile page for additional services and contact information.

Visit their PInow.com profile page for more info: Tenable Protective Services

Portland Oregon Investigators

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest private investigator in Portland Oregon. Steve Wilson of Portland Investigators provides a variety of private investigative services in Portland, OR as well as surrounding areas (National and International locate services available too). Please visit Steve's PInow.com profile page for additional services and contact information.

Visit their PInow.com profile page for more info: Portland Investigators

Insurance agent turns herself in on fraud charges

Ledger-Enquirer.com | 05/16/2007 | Insurance agent turns herself in on fraud charges: "Pollyanna Johnson, the Columbus-based insurance agent charged last week with three counts of insurance fraud, turned herself in to authorities Tuesday.

Muscogee County Sheriff's Office Maj. Joe McCrae said Johnson was arrested at 9:30 a.m. at the Government Center after her attorney, Richard Hagler, arranged for her to turn herself in.

'I really do think that once the evidence comes out, she'll be exonerated,' Hagler said."

Woman, 30, Arrested For Alleged Elder Abuse

cbs2.com - Woman, 30, Arrested For Alleged Elder Abuse: "The caretaker of an 89-year-old Palm Springs resident was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of financial elder abuse and embezzlement after she allegedly cleaned out the victim's bank account and purchased a sport utility vehicle in the woman's name, authorities said.

Gwen Marie Hogan, 30, of Desert Hot Springs, was hired to care for the blind Alzheimer's patient, who also suffered from congestive heart failure, but instead took advantage of the woman, Palm Springs police Sgt. Mitch Spike alleged."

You can run ... but not forever

NewsHerald.com - Headlines: "Jerry Steele and his wife, Bird, have been getting people out of jail — and occasionally putting them back in — for six years.

As owner and operators of Steele Boys’ Bail Bonds Inc. in Panama City, they, like most bail bond agents in Florida, don’t have a 9-to-5 job.

Bail bonding is an exhausting business occasionally requiring bondsmen to wrestle the people they’ve bonded out of jail back into handcuffs, Jerry Steele said. When he proposed starting the business, his wife was less-than receptive."

Nevada Legislature Passes Elder Care Measure

Channel 4 KRNV.com: Local News and Weather for Reno-Tahoe Region: Nevada Legislature Passes Elder Care Measure: "The Nevada Assembly has given final legislative approval to a bill that lets the state's elder abuse investigators get criminal history information from police agencies.

The measure would add the Division of Aging Services to a list of government agencies authorized to get criminal records."

Agent accused in insurance fraud scheme

foxcarolina.com - News, Weather, Video - Greenville, Spartanburg, Asheville, Anderson | Agent accused in insurance fraud scheme: "Authorities says an insurance agent forged the signatures of residents of a center that treats people with developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injuries so she could obtain Medicare Advantage policies in their names and pocket the commissions.

Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John Oxendine said today an arrest warrant was issued for 52-year-old Mary Helen Gray of Snellville yesterday. She is charged with ten counts of insurance fraud and forgery. Police are continuing to try to locate her."

Teen becomes Indiana's youngest death investigator

The Courier News :: News :: Teen becomes Indiana's youngest death investigator: "With her father as a role model and a love of the television show CSI , a high school senior has become Indiana's youngest certified death investigator.

Amanda Barnett, 18, was certified last month and is one of four deputy coroners working for her father, Jay County Coroner Mark Barnett.

'It's kind of weird to' her friends, she said. 'To other people it's disgusting, but I think it's interesting, and somebody's got to do it.'"

Bail Bonds News Roundup, May 25, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory

Bail Bonds News Roundup, May 25, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory: "With the passing of another spring week, the AboutBail.com staff saw more news stories about possible changes to the bail profession. In Connecticut, in particular, changes to the profession seem imminent, judging by the continued stories about the problems with the business. Stories about illegal immigrants and bail, and more stories about heroic bond professionals who put felons behind bars dominated the headlines in the past week. Our picks for the top industry stories:

Another Story Sure to Fuel the Controversy Over Bail and Illegal Immigration
COLORADO - The AboutBail.com staff have been reporting stories about the growing concern within the bail industry about illegal immigrants who commit crimes in this country. Another story this week only adds to the debate. Despite the efforts of authorities in Denver, an illegal immigrant who identified himself as Manuel Flores was able to post bond and flee the country after being accused of sexually assaulting a nine year-old girl. According to authorities, Flores was arrested February 15 and was unable to provide adequate identification. Although authorities contacted federal immigration officials, no immigration hold was placed on the man. Judge Andrew Armatas set a bond of $35,000..."

Bail Bonds News Roundup, May 25, 2007

Bail Bonds News Roundup, May 18, 2007 - AboutBail.com

Bail Bonds News Roundup, May 18, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory: "Over the past week, the AboutBail.com staff were spending extra time around the water cooler, catching up on the news stories from the industry. This past week, the stories that caught our attention were:

Experts in CT Continue to Call For Wide-Spread Bail System Reforms
CONNECTICUT - In Connecticut, state prosecutors, bail industry spokesmen, and law enforcement officials urged lawmakers all agree on one thing: the bail system in the state needs to change, since competition in the industry is creating a dangerous scenario, whereby bond companies undercut legal rates. This past Monday, bail bond experts asked lawmakers to make changes to the system, saying that the usual practice requiring defendants to pay 7-10% of the amount of their bail to a bondsman has fallen by the wayside. Many companies now offer bail bonds for only 2-3% of the bail amount, leading judges to set higher bails. State Rep. Michael P. Lawlor, D-East Haven, part of the legislature's Judiciary Committee, has said reforms to the system could be approved as part of Connecticut's budget. The reform would switch regulation of the system to the Department of Public Safety and bondsmen not adhering to state requirements would face criminal penalties and up to two years in prison. (New Haven Register, May 15, 2007)"

Read the entire article by clicking below:
Bail Bonds news Roundup, May 18, 2007

Alarming news about the elderly's criminal caregivers

Alarming news about the elderly's criminal caregivers | LOCAL NEWS | KHOU.com | News for Houston, Texas: "11 News has uncovered some troubling information about the people who are caring for our elderly.

In just five years, the number of convicted criminals applying for jobs as in-home caregivers in Texas tripled.

The state requires background checks, to keep criminals from actually being hired, but are those checks really working?"

School criminal background checks spotty

School criminal background checks spotty - OregonLive.com: Breaking News Updates: "In Oregon, school districts need only a $5 criminal background check to hire non-teaching employees, including coaches and activity advisers.

And the decision to employ a person who has a criminal record below the most serious offenses -- murder, rape or sex crimes -- falls on school leaders.

Charges against a Washington County cheerleading coach at Southridge High School reveal loopholes in Oregon's screening process to ferret out those who may pose a danger to children."

Smile, you're on candid camera

Halifax, The Daily News: News | Smile, you're on candid camera: "The use of police video surveillance cameras in downtown Halifax is about to expand, despite concerns they will trample privacy rights.

Details are fuzzy, but after a six-month trial period, Halifax Regional Police and Halifax regional council are set to put more cameras in more locations.

'We're going to take it to the next level,' said Supt. Bill Moore, the force's lead officer on the surveillance project."

Nursing home deaths probed

The Cincinnati Post - Nursing home deaths probed: "Kenton County Attorney Garry Edmondson is investigating whether five residents at Villaspring of Erlanger health care center died because of neglect or abuse.

Edmondson said the deaths at Villaspring happened over the past year. His office started its investigation two or three weeks ago after being contacted by family members and state workers from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which regulates nursing homes."

Sex cases ripple through soccer leagues

Recordnet.com: Sex cases ripple through soccer leagues: "Local and national soccer associations reviewed or revamped screening processes for coaches over the past year after learning of sexual assault charges against a father and son with ties to Stockton's youth soccer community.

U.S. Club Soccer now requires coaches to submit a background check application before they interact with children. The changes came as authorities closed in on Ernie P. Roxas, 53, a former Stockton Youth Soccer Association coach who was arrested near Las Vegas last month on felony charges of rape, lewd acts upon a child and sexual abuse of a child younger than 18."

Insurance fraud 'increases costs for honest customers'

Insurance fraud 'increases costs for honest customers': "Those looking to make a fraudulent claim on their insurance are pushing up costs for honest consumers, it has been claimed.

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), insurance fraud accounts for some £1.6 billion every year, which in turn adds an average of 40 per cent to premiums paid every year by truthful policyholders.

Director of general insurance and health for the ABI Nick Starling said: 'Honest customers should not have pay for the cheats.'"

Private eye takes on Kim for seat

The Saratogian - Private eye takes on Kim for seat: "Private investigator Richard C. Wirth will challenge Public Safety Commissioner Ron Kim in this year's election.

Wirth will run as a Republican. Kim, a Democrat and lawyer, is serving his first term, and has not yet announced a re-election bid.
'I believe the top priority for the Commissioner of Public Safety is providing for the personal safety and security of city residents,' Wirth said in a press release. 'I have the background, training and investigative experience to do exactly that.'

Wirth had a career in government in the Town of Hempstead in Long Island, which has a population of more than 800,000, where he retired as special assistant to the parks and recreation commissioner. He supervised the town's more than 500 lifeguards.

Kim said he doesn't know Wirth, and hasn't made a decision to run again for certain, though he has been leaning towards it. He said his service as public safety commissioner is a big sacrifice for his family.

'They see me a lot less,' Kim said."

Man Sentenced To 50 Years In SF Elder Abuse Case

cbs13.com - Man Sentenced To 50 Years In SF Elder Abuse Case: "A convicted felon was sentenced to 50 years in prison Monday for robbing two elderly women adter using a ruse to get into their homes.

Gary Johnson, 47, who is also known as Tommy John, was convicted last month of two counts of false imprisonment of an elder by violence, menace, fraud or deceit in connection with two incidents that occurred in May and August of 2000.

Johnson gained entrance into the homes by alternately posing as a writer for an architectural publication and a landscaper. He allegedly 'forcibly pulled, pushed and dragged his victims through their homes, tied them up, and demanded money and valuables,' said Bilen Mesfin, a spokeswoman for the district attorney's office.
"

I spy with my private eye

I spy with my private eye-Life & Style-Women-The Way We Live-TimesOnline: "You don’t have to be rich to hire a private investigator. Carol Midgley discovers why more of us are paying for their services when we suspect a partner of infidelity

Richard Martinez remembers with absolute clarity the first time he was paid to track a cheating husband. It was in 1999 and the client was a pregnant woman who was convinced that her husband, a businessman who owned a phone bureau, was having an affair. For four nights Martinez used his motorbike to follow the man in his car, jumping red lights and driving at high speed, but found him doing nothing wrong."

Surveillance cameras get smarter

eSchool News online - Surveillance cameras get smarter: "An emerging trend in video surveillance technology could help tip off school leaders to potential acts of theft or violence before they even happen.

Researchers and security companies are developing cameras that not only watch the world but also interpret what they see. Soon, some cameras might be able to find unattended bags at airports, guess your height, or analyze the way you walk to see if you're hiding something."

Columbus insurance agent charged with insurance fraud

Ledger-Enquirer.com | 05/07/2007 | Columbus insurance agent charged with insurance fraud: "If you have bought insurance from Pollyanna Johnson, you might not have insurance at all.

Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine announced this morning that Johnson has been charged with three counts of insurance fraud.

'She was taking premiums paid to her for property and taxicab liability and pocketing the money instead of forwarding the payments to an insurance company,' Oxendine said."

Office romances keep on blooming

Office romances keep on blooming: "Whether it's the flattering fluorescent lighting or the intimate privacy of the office cubicle, the workplace is fertile ground for those with a wandering eye.

More than one-third of people who admit to infidelity cheat on their spouses with co-workers, according to a study by MSNBC.com and iVillage.com. (Friends were philanderers' first choice.)"

Background checks not mandatory for Knox Co. school volunteers

Background checks not mandatory for Knox Co. school volunteers: "Knox County does background checks on teachers. And it may become mandatory for contractors to do background checks on any employees on school grounds. But what about school volunteers?

A Knoxville mother says not enough is being done to protect your children in school when volunteers are working.

West says she moved from the same county in Florida where Jessica Lunsford was abducted and killed. The convicted killer, John Couey, worked at Lunsford's elementary school."

Search group won’t help investigator

Prince George Citizen - Search group won’t help investigator: "The Prince George Search and Rescue Society will not be helping a private investigator search for a Highway of Tears victim on May 12 in a remote area along Norman Lake Road.

However, search officials say they are not opposed to Ray Michalko's ground search.

'I did receive an e-mail from him stating what he was going to do and asking if we would be participating,' said Ray Ouelette, president of search and rescue. 'We work through the Provincial Emergency Program and under the RCMP, so if we are sanctioned for a search we can help, but we need that official request.'"

Elder abuse increasing, county reports

Palo Alto Online: "Santa Clara County agencies are reporting a 25 percent rise in reports of elder abuse, and County Adult Protective Services are struggling to provide immediate response to seniors in need.

'Our seniors, especially those with dementia or in poor health, are vulnerable to elder abuse at the hands of unscrupulous caregivers or con artists,' Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager said. 'We have to prevent this kind of victimization of our seniors, and abusers need to know that their crimes won't go unpunished.'"

CPA pleads guilty to fraud charges

North Texas e-News: "Just before his trial was to begin today in federal court, Robert David Neal, a/k/a “Michael Skinner” a/k/a “Albert Davis” a/k/a “David Nelson,” pled guilty to all counts in a six-count indictment charging wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas.

Neal, a former resident of Trophy Club, Texas, is currently in federal custody because of a supervised release violation stemming from a May 2002 federal felony conviction, also in the Northern District of Texas. The statutory maximum sentence for each count of wire fraud is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He is scheduled to be sentenced before the Honorable A. Joe Fish on July 24, 2007."

Fraser Michigan Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest investigator in Michigan.

Tim Westphal of Lakeside Investigation, LLC provides a variety of private investigative services throughout Macomb County, MI, as well as parts of Wayne County, Oakland County and St Clair County, MI. Please visit Tim's PInow.com profile page for additional contact information and a detailed list of services provided.

Visit their PInow.com profile page for more info: Lakeside Investigation, LLC

Fairfield California Private Investigator

The PInow.com team would like to welcome their newest investigator in California.

Clark Meyer of Hat Squad Investigations provides investigative services throughout the Fairfield, California area, as well as neighboring cities. Please visit Clark's PInow.com profile page for additional contact information and a detailed list of services provided.

Visit their PInow.com profile page for more info: Hat Squad Investigations

Understanding The Repossession Process

Investigation News - Understanding The Repossession Process - PInow.com Investigator Directory: "Businesses that rent, borrow, lease or offer financing on products face risk of non-payment. When a customer does not make payment, the business stands to lose considerable amounts of money. Investing in a professional investigator with repossession experience can be the best way to collect property legally without losing additional money.

The repossession process today really begins with the way companies do business. In today’s business world, many companies sell products and offer financing at the same time or lease and rent products. In all these cases, there is a risk that the customer will simply not honour their contract and will not pay.

When a customer does not pay, the business has a few options. They can write off the loss, they can keep trying to collect on the delinquent account, or they can repossess the item that has not been paid for. Repossession is a legal process that allows a business to legally take over a product in cases where a contract has been broken. No business likes to repossess – it is a costly hassle and still results in some loss of money – but in cases where money cannot be recovered, repossession lets a company recover some of their lost money and assets."

Understanding The Repossession Process

Computer Surveillance - What Does it Offer?

Investigation News - Computer Surveillance - What Does it Offer? - PInow.com Investigator Directory: "Computer monitoring software can uncover exactly what computer users are doing online. Anyone interested in installing this type of software, though, needs to select the program carefully.

According to a 2001 American Management Association survey, 77.7% of major U.S. companies used computer surveillance to check employee e-mail, Internet use, phone calls, computer use, and files. Some companies even used computer surveillance to videotape workers. The reason is not hard to see: According to IDC Research, 30 to 40% of Internet use during work hours is for personal use. Employers are concerned that they are losing worker productivity, thanks to employees who use work hours to surf the Internet and to send personal email. Employers are also concerned that workers who use company computers to commit fraud crimes, or use the system to send sexually explicit materials may embroil the company in a lawsuit."

What is computer surveillance?
Computer Surveillance - What Does it Offer?

Who Should Use a Polygraph?

Investigation News - Who Should Use a Polygraph? - PInow.com Investigator Directory: "A polygraph can be a useful tool that can be used as part of a larger investigation to get answers. However, businesses interested in using the test need to follow the law to the letter to avoid legal action.

Polygraph tests have caused a lot of controversy and have generated many myths over the years. In November 2006, A Jacksonville, Florida firefighter fought the results of a polygraph test that he says was inaccurate. The man took the test as part of an internal investigation into an incident which allegedly involved nooses being placed on his uniform. The polygraph results suggested deception, but the firefighter has always consistently claimed that he found nooses on his uniform – an act that can be seen as a hate crime or a form of harassment. Administrators of the test are defending the polygraph as a reliable tool but the firefighter and his attorney are pointing out the many documented studies that suggest the test is highly fallible."

Should you look to a polygraph to get answers?
Who Should Use a Polygraph?

Lawyer Blows Up at Process Server : ServeNow.com

Lawyer Blows Up at Process Server : ServeNow.com: "Lawyer Sanctioned After Blowing Up at Process Server

When a lawyer is served with a malpractice suit, throwing the complaint on the floor, ejecting the process server for trespassing and yelling 'call 911' are possible responses.

But they're wrong, a Mercer County, N.J., judge says in a $403 sanction order against Robert Conroy, one of the state's leading health care lawyers.

Conroy was in his Bridgewater office on March 20, when Guaranteed Subpoena Service Inc. sent a representative to serve a malpractice suit by a doctor Conroy had represented in a complicated transaction.

But Guaranteed reported back to the plaintiff's lawyer: 'Not served! Entity was evading service. Threw service at server, stating he was trespassing and would be arrested if he didn't leave.' "

Read more ServeNow.com News articles:
Process Server News

Bail Bonds News Roundup, May 11, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory

Bail Bonds News Roundup, May 11, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory: "This past week, the staff at AboutBail.com were reading stories about silly criminals, savvy bondsmen, bounty hunters accused, and legislation. Here were the stories that fired our imaginations this week:

Update: Mexico Frees Americans Held as Bounty Hunters
MEXICO - Last week, the staff at AboutBail.com - not to mention people across the country - were following the story of five Americans accused of acting as bounty hunters in Mexico. The five were arrested in Naco, Sonora, on May 2, because bounty hunting is illegal in Mexico. This week, though, the five men have been released, because a Mexican prosecutor found that there was a lack of evidence. The five -- Raul Arellanes Valdez, Richard Polanco, Richard Polanco Jr., Harold Lewis, and a 13-year old - are all back in the US now. (NogalesInternation.com, May 8, 2007)"

Click here to read the entire article:
Bail Bonds News Roundup, May 11, 2007

Bail Bonds News Roundup, May 4, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory

Bail Bonds News Roundup, May 4, 2007 - AboutBail.com Bail Bond Agent Directory: "This past week, the staff at AboutBail.com had plenty to discuss. The news media was filled with stories about the bail industry. From another bounty hunting arrest in Mexico to legislation changes, here are the stories that captured our attention:

Bondsman in Louisiana Charged with Theft and Insurance Fraud
TEXAS - A Bondsman in the Rapides Parish region was arrested this past week by members of the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit. The man, Wayne Thomas, was charged with multiple counts of theft and Failure to Remit Insurance Premiums. The investigation leading to the arrest began when allegations were made that Thomas received payment for bonds, but never remitted the money to the bail bonding company. Since bail bonding is considered an act of insurance in Louisiana, the investigation was conducted by the Louisiana Department of Insurance. (Insurance Journal, May 2, 2007)"

Click below to read the entire article:
Bail Bonds News Roundup, May 4, 2007

The upside of infidelity

globeandmail.com: The upside of infidelity: "Till death do us part? Nah. It's till cheating sex do us part. Sexual fidelity is the sine qua non of marriage.

But is it all bad when an extramarital affair happens?

As a gentleman I know helpfully explained over his pinot noir in a downtown Toronto bar, 'Sex is the life force, Sarah.'

Indeed. And an extramarital affair is a huge life-changing event, nothing short of transformational - if, that is, you don't hide in deep guilt and denial from why you did it."

Online investigator has targeted others

Online investigator has targeted others: "The individual whose online investigation pushed the Grand Junction Police Department to probe suspected “Internet improprieties” of a local high school administrator said this was not the first time he has conducted an online sex sting.

The independent Internet investigator, calling himself “Heather Sorbel,” said in a series of e-mails to The Daily Sentinel that he has repeatedly set out to scare suspected online predators into turning themselves in.

Sorbel declined to say how many times he has conducted online stings in the past, but said, “Internet solicitation is so rampant that if I, or any other citizen that is doing this, went to the police with every pervert I came across, those departments would be overwhelmed.”

Sorbel said he was compelled to contact news agencies because he thought the “chatter” might be Grand Junction High School Athletic Director John Walker, someone “in a position of authority over children.”"

Buying A Gun in Georgia

13WMAZ.com Eyewitness News Local Headline: "With no criminal history and no red flags on a background check, the Virginia Tech shooter easily bought two guns. He later used to kill 32 people.

The massacre has many people wondering, what are authorities and gun dealers doing to keep guns out of the wrong hands?

Owner of Eagle Gun Range in Macon, Hamp Dowling, says if you're a law abiding citizen with no criminal history, buying a gun shouldn't be a problem. You can walk in and walk out with a gun in a matter of minutes. There is no waiting period in Georgia."

Couple accused of insurance fraud

Couple accused of insurance fraud - baltimoresun.com: "A former Baltimore police officer and his wife reported crimes that never occurred to receive insurance payments they were never entitled to, according to a federal indictment unsealed yesterday.

Michael B. Nelson, 26, and his wife, Tierra Spencer Nelson, 23, were charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. The couple are accused of filing falsified reports on a car never stolen, a burglary that did not happen and a fictionalized traffic accident, court papers say. If convicted, they could receive up to 20 years in prison on each count of the five-count indictment.

Court papers say the scheme involved submitting falsified reports worth nearly $10,000 in insurance claims for the Nelsons. The couple also were paid fees by others to file fraudulent paperwork for them, according to the indictment."

Poor e-mail archiving haunts subpoenaed firms

Investigation News - Poor e-mail archiving haunts subpoenaed firms - PInow.com Investigator Directory: "When Intel acknowledged two weeks ago that it may have lost months worth of e-mails involving about 100 employees, including top executives, the legendary Silicon Valley company seemed caught off-guard. Experts wondered how a $35 billion corporation. The answer may be surprising: Outside of heavily regulated industries like financial services and health care, most companies do a poor job of managing their e-mail."

Read more articles similar to this:
PInow.com Investigation News > Electronic Data Discovery

Real Estate Fraud Is On the Rise: Protect Yourself

Investigation News - Real Estate Fraud Is On the Rise: Protect Yourself - PInow.com Investigator Directory: "Real estate fraud is on the rise. Knowing the popular scams out there and knowing how to protect against this type of criminal activity is essential.

Real estate fraud is an umbrella term for criminal activity involving real estate – criminal activity that usually amounts to little more than theft. According to new statistics, the problem seems to be getting worse. The FBI reported that in 2005 alone, real estate fraud cost the country at least $606 million. The Treasury Department is tracking 35% more suspicious through 2006. The IRS reports that cases of mortgage fraud that have been brought to their attention have been doubling every two years, starting with this decade. This worrisome trend means that all real estate investors and homeowners should be on the alert."

Learn more about real estate fraud by clicking the link below:
Real Estate Fraud Is On the Rise: Protect Yourself

Is Your Ex Avoiding Child Support?

Investigation News - Is Your Ex Avoiding Child Support? - PInow.com Investigator Directory: "Many parents and children are in financial difficulty today because parents are not paying the child support ordered by courts. Hiring a private investigator can help parents augment resource-strapped legal systems so that payment can finally be made.

Deadbeat parents cost children a lot of money. In the state of Hawaii alone, more than half a billion dollars represents the amount of delinquent child support payments. According to 2005 statistics, the state is only able to successfully collect 40% of delinquent accounts. The District of Columbia is not much better, collecting only in 37% of cases. Most states have passed laws to get deadbeat parents to pay up — in some states; parents who fall behind on their child support can find their pay checks cut, their credit dinged, or their licenses suspended.

Despite the legal measures, though, parents still report that deadbeat parents do not pay child support. Child advocacy groups point out that some parents move or change identities in order to avoid child support, while others only make a payment or two when threatened with cut pay or loss of a license and then return to non-payment. In many cases, law enforcement and child services simply do not have the resources to find and compel non-paying parents to make payments."

Find out what parents can do that the courts have not tired:
Is Your Ex Avoiding Child Support?

How to Tell Whether a Partner is Having an Emotional Affair

Investigation News - How to Tell Whether a Partner is Having an Emotional Affair - PInow.com Investigator Directory: "Look out for the signs of an emotional affair. Emotional cheating can lead to a traditional affair, so keeping an eye out for the classic signs can help partners outwit pain down the road.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with a friendship. However, friendships do not involve the deception and the type of inappropriate emotional closeness that an emotional affair entails. Despite its name, an emotional affair can involve physical intimacy, although it does not always. What this type of infidelity always dishes out, though is pain: pain caused by a partner who invests more emotionally into another relationship.

Emotional affairs involve someone who builds an inappropriately intimate relationship with someone outside their partnership. This may mean that a husband suddenly starts confiding all his personal and work-related problems to a female co-worker rather than his wife. It could also mean a wife suddenly confiding all her successes and desires to a new male friend rather than her husband. An emotional affair is usually also marked by secrecy – a partner may downplay or outright lie about the amount of time spent with a new partner. Sexual attraction is almost always part of the equation, too, although it is not always acted upon.

How to tell?

There are several signs that a partner is having an emotional affair:"

Find out all of the Emotional Affair signs by clicking the link below:
How to Tell Whether a Partner is Having an Emotional Affair

When Does Online Cheating Cross the Line?

Investigation News - When Does Online Cheating Cross the Line? - PInow.com Investigator Directory: "Online cheaters connect with other partners in cyberspace for adventures that range from erotic virtual encounters to basic flirting. While some don’t consider it cheating, many experts agree that online infidelity crosses the line – and can lead to real cheating in person.

Online cheating has many forms. Some internet users log onto online dating sites – or specifically, online dating sites designed especially for discreet married people – to meet someone in person. Many others simply flirt and have affairs online, without ever meeting the person they are speaking with.

What is online cheating?

Some justify “hot chats” as harmless fun, but this sort of behaviour has caused marital rifts – and has even lead to in-person affairs offline. At best, cybersex means that a partner starts spending time with someone besides their partner – time that can better be invested in the relationship. Since online flirting or online sex is simpler and fantasy-based, it can fuel desire even more, leading someone to seek a real-life affair. Of course, there is always the real possibility that the cheater’s partner will be upset and hurt when they find out about such online activity."

Read the entire article and comment on it by clicking the link below:
When Does Online Cheating Cross the Line?