Private Eye Guilty of Land Scam

Albert Topasna was charged with theft by deception as a second-degree felony after investigators discovered Topasna received $12,500 for piece of land the defendant sold by executing a "warranty deed."

That buyer later found out from the Department of Land Management that he couldn't register the title to the property in his name because it didn't belong to Topasna, the press release stated.

Closing arguments in Topasna's trial were held Thursday. A jury returned a verdict that same afternoon.

Assistant Attorney General David Rivera, who prosecuted the case, thanked investigator Juan Salas and other staff members at the AG's office for the successful prosecution.

Read more here. 

Kidnapped Boy May Owe His Life to Private Investigator After Rescue

Samuel Amoes, the five-year-old son of an Angolan mining magnate who was kidnapped in Troyville on Sunday, has been ransomed and returned to his family.

According to reports Declan Condon, a private investigator, attended at a a supermarket in Troyeville which was the place designated by the kidnappers to exchange Samuel for a substantial ransom.

While he was there one kidnapper met him to take the ransom - after Condon had first been given proof of life - and thereafter another delivered the child to him.

Both of Samuel's parents were out of the country at the time of the kidnapping but his mother flew home immediately after hearing about the incident which took place at a church play school in Johannesburg.

Condon confirmed that he had allowed the kidnappers to escape but had put the child's safety first.

Police have confirmed they are investigating.

Samuel is very fortunate to have survived his ordeal as far too often the victims of kidnappings do not make it back. The cool head shown by the private investigator might well have played a big part in that.

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COLORADO ANTI-SURVEILLANCE BILL DEFEATED

Colorado HB 1012 was defeated when the Senate Judiciary Committee voted against it 4 to 3 on Wednesday, May 5, 2010. 

 

This bill would have drastically impacted the ability of employers and insurance companies to conduct surveillance on suspected fraudulent or exaggerated worker's compensation claims. 

The Professional Private Investigators Association of Colorado (PPIAC) waged war together with the assistance of members and non-members alike. In addition to substantial grass roots lobbying, PPIAC hired a lobbyist to assist in the battle.  The lobbyist was paid for partially from PPIAC funds, but approximately 50% of the cost came directly from members and non-members.

Joining together with PPIAC in support was the National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS) and the World Association of Detectives (WAD).

 

NCISS assisted with letters sent from Association Officers and their Legislative Chair, Jimmie Mesis. NCISS Lobbyist, Larry Sabbath of Washington, D.C. provided assistance with drafting the text for a sample letter to be distributed for use of those who wanted to voice their opposition to the bill.

 

WAD assisted by voting to donate $1,000 to PPIAC from its legislative fund to help cover expenses associated with opposing the bill. This is the first time WAD donated money to any group other than a national association.

 

PPIAC Officers, Board of Directors and members greatly appreciated the involvement of both NCISS and WAD. 

The end result of this unified effort was that one brave Senator, Senator Linda Newell www.linda4senate.com,  voted against party lines to do the right thing. Without her vote, Colorado investigators would still be fighting for their livelihoods.

 

We can all thank Senator Newell for protecting the interests of PIs everywhere as the language of this restrictive bill had the potential of being adopted across the country if passed.

This is a great example of what can be done when we all work together for a common cause. In unity there is much strength.

OLCC investigator accused of taking murdered Ohio boy's identity

BOISE, Idaho. (AP) — Friends say they're shocked to hear an Oregon liquor control investigator is facing charges for allegedly assuming the identity of a murdered Ohio toddler.


Prosecutors have said the man calling himself Jason Robert Evers was 17 and living in Colorado when he took the name in 1996.


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SB Billing Feud With Private Investigator Intensifies

A private investigator's report on possible police corruption has been deemed "suspect" by the City Attorney's Office and a lawsuit likely looms as the investigator tries to recover roughly $40,000 the city has refused to pay him.

No written contract exists and officials declined to say whether billing guidelines were given to Dr. William Schneid when he was hired in June by Police Chief Keith Kilmer.

The city has paid about $22,000 of a $60,662 bill Schneid submitted months ago after completing a report that included reviewing internal probes on whether a sergeant was illegally detaining suspects.

"We had problems with the quality of his work and we didn't believe it warranted an additional $40,000," said Senior Assistant City Attorney Diane Roth. "We thought his report was suspect based on a number of factors."

Schneid declined to comment, referring all questions to attorney Robert Weinberg, whom he recently retained.

Weinberg also declined to comment and said he will file a claim against the city "as soon as the appropriate time comes."

A claim usually precedes a lawsuit.

Among other things, Roth said city officials are concerned about Schneid's associations with the paranormal.

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