Boynton Beach Commissioners Oust CRA Director After Investigation into Relationship with Vendor

BOYNTON BEACH -After months of back-and-forth allegations, the city commissioners, acting as the Community Redevelopment Board, voted 4-1 not to renew the contract of Lisa Bright, the CRA executive director.

Commissioner Woodrow Hay cast the dissenting vote.

The decision came just days after commissioners were hand-delivered the final report from a private investigator hired in August to look into the ties between Bright and one of the CRA's vendors. The investigation concluded Bright did not disclose the connections to the board.

Bright's contract would have automatically renewed for another year at the end of September. The board voted at last week's CRA meeting to put Bright on administrative leave with pay, but the commissioners were split 2-2 on not renewing Bright's contract, with Commissioner Bill Orlove undecided.

Commissioner Marlene Ross, who spoke in support of Bright last week, said that her decision was made based on the findings of the investigation.

"Based on all of these reports, I can see that according to this information, some procedures were not followed and some disclosures were not made," she said.

Orlove said that he found some information revealed in the report to be "troubling."

"In my opinion, Lisa Bright, as a government employee, should have disclosed her relationship regarding Joseph Ferrer to the CRA Board and let it determine the outcome of the contracts," he said.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, prior to the discussion about the investigation, Bright's attorney, Isidro Garcia, spoke on behalf on his client, calling the investigation a "witch hunt."

The report states that evidence shows that Bright has known the vendor, Joseph Ferrer, for at least 10 years, and that she lived at and leased a cottage on Ferrer's property prior to her employment with the Boynton CRA.

It also says that Bright was "untruthful or misleading" at a July 20 CRA Board meeting when she publicly said that she never lived at Ferrer's home and only used that address to get her daughter into a different school.

Hay, who voiced his support for Bright last week, said tonight that Bright should be given back her job.

"The problem is not the CRA," he said. "The problem is the CRA Board. I've lost confidence in many of us who are sitting up here with me tonight."

Bright, who sat calmly composed in the audience during the discussion, declined to comment after the vote was made. She will get a severance package of 150 days paid, according to her contract. The Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office also is investigating Bright, according to Bright's attorney, but the reason is not known.

Due to time constraints, the commissioners voted to table the appointment of a seven-member independent CRA Board until the Oct. 5 commission meeting.



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Spotting a Troubled Employee Before Mass Murder is Almost Impossible, Law Experts Say

It has become a disturbingly familiar workplace scenario, statistically rare, but occurring often enough to have a ritualistic feel.

A head-case employee, after a series of run-ins with managers, decides to even the score. He - and it almost always is a he - storms the factory floor, guns ablaze, leaving a string of bodies in his wake.

Such was the case last week near Hartford, Conn., when an employee at a beer distributor, caught on videotape by a private investigator stealing beer from his delivery truck, reached into his lunch pail for two 9mm handguns, and shot 10 of his coworkers, killing eight, before taking his own life.

The killer, it was learned afterward, had been viewed by some of his acquaintances as a terrific guy.

And that underscores a central reality for employers and the labor and employment lawyers who advise them on how to handle workplace conflicts: Identifying the one-in-a-million person on the verge of committing mass murder is akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

"It scares the heck out of me every time I advise the employer to go ahead and fire the guy," says Michael Ossip, a partner in the labor and employment practice at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius L.L.P. "I always counsel people: Make sure you know exactly what you are doing, because once you let someone go, you lose control over them."

Fred D'Angelo, a labor and employment lawyer at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney P.C. and based in Philadelphia, said one tragic error made in the Connecticut case was that the employer permitted the dismissed employee to go unescorted to an adjacent room, where he retrieved two handguns concealed in a lunch box.

Even so, D'Angelo, who happens to represent many of this region's beer distributors, says he doubts employers can change much.

That's because horrific workplace killings, though they rivet national attention, are so unlikely that it wouldn't make sense for employers to dramatically reconfigure their workplaces.

Employers seem to recognize this. D'Angelo, who counsels employers on how to deal with workers who are about to be disciplined or dismissed, says he has never been asked by a client about what to do if an employee shows up with a gun.

The worst case of workplace violence he ever dealt with, and he has been at this for 35 years, involved a shop steward who threw a punch at his supervisor and was dismissed on the spot.

So does that mean society must simply accept a certain level of workplace carnage as the cost of doing business?

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Putting a Private Detective in Your Laptop

Baruch Sienna figured his teenage son’s laptop was gone forever. During a party in Israel, a thief had taken his MacBook, and there were no witnesses.

“The police were very unhelpful,” Mr. Sienna said, speaking from Jerusalem. “They said, ‘You’ll never see your laptop again.’ ”

But the son was fortunate that his father had installed Undercover, an antitheft program, on his computer. He remotely activated the software, which grabbed screen shots of the thief’s online activities, while the Mac’s built-in camera shot pictures of him. After eight months of activity on the Mac, the software had given police enough information to identify the thief and put the MacBook back in Mr. Sienna’s hands.

For the very reason you like to carry laptops, iPads, e-book readers and smartphones — they are lightweight and portable — they are easy to steal or misplace. The 2009 Computer Security Institute Computer Crime and Security Survey found that 42 percent of respondents had lost a laptop or other portable device to a thief in the last year. According to a study by the Ponemon Institute, 12,000 laptops are lost each week in American airports. Most people assume they are gone for good; only a third of those turned in to the airports’ lost-and-found departments are reclaimed.

You can keep an eye on your devices and not leave them visible and unattended, but they might best be protected with some software. A number of good programs are available for laptops, phones and tablets. Many will try to locate the computer when it is connected to the Internet. Others log keystrokes, take snapshots of Web pages visited, monitor e-mail being written and even take a picture of the user with the device’s built-in Webcam.

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Private Investigation Firm Hired to Dig Into Shady Business Man Solomon Obstfeld's 'Suicide'

A private investigation firm has been hired to review the death of a wealthy Brooklyn investor who plunged from the terrace of his posh Essex House condo.

The medical examiner has ruled the June 9 death of Solomon Obstfeld a suicide.

NYPD detectives have yet to close the case, although they have not found anything that contradicts that conclusion.

But some of Obstfeld's friends are not convinced.

They say the father of five was involved with a host of shady business partners - including one caught in a bribery scandal involving former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

"The people who hired us do not believe it was a suicide, but what they really want are answers to why this happened," said Tom Ruskin of CMP Protective and Investigative Group.

Ruskin declined to comment on whether he was hired by Obstfeld's family or by one of the businessman's close friends.

"People who commit suicide, even those really depressed, leave a note, make a will, think of the family they leave behind and take care of them," Ruskin said.

Obstfeld was entangled in a series of murky business deals, including ties with billionaire Martin Schlaff. Israeli police recommended this week that Schlaff be indicted for bribing Sharon.

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'Breakthrough' in Zulu Car Crash

A major breakthrough in a private investigation into the fatal car crash involving Prince Sifiso Zulu's luxury car seven weeks ago, is expected, said Pastor Phumlani Ndlovu of Souls' Harbour Ministries on Saturday.

Hlengiwe Dlamini, 25, of Mondlo, and Sidumisile Ncube, 24, of Ulundi, were killed when the driver of Zulu's BMW X5 allegedly drove through a red traffic light at the intersection of Masabalala Yengwa Avenue and Somtseu Road, crashing into a double cab bakkie carrying church members home after a service.

Ex-restaurant Owner Becomes Pistol-toting Private Investigator

Terri Russell is a pistol-packing private eye and a grandmother of six.

She’s the owner of Russell Investigations, an all-woman, licensed private investigation firm based out of her home in a wooded, rural area near Lake City.

Newest PInow.com Members - March 2007

Newest PInow.com Members — March 2007

The PInow.com Team would like to welcome the newest countywide members of our online Private Investigator Directory. Below you will find the basic contact information for all of the qualified private investigators who joined the PInow.com online directory of local, pre-screened private investigators between March 1 - 31, 2007:

Star Security Inc.
Contact: Raymond Myszak
Phone: 219-554-0100
Location: Hammond, IN 46324
PI License: PD58900545

D.G.I., LLC
Contact: Dave Gainer
Phone: 812-853-3222
Location: Newburgh, IN 47629
PI License: PD19400003

Total Surveillance Investigations
Contact: Doug Hunter
Phone: 501-215-9903
Location: Morrilton, AR 72110
PI License: D 06-179

CSI Enterprises; Colorado Special Investigations
Contact: Sean Moncalieri
Phone: 719-661-8882
Location: Colorado Springs, CO 80931

Eagle Investigations, Inc.
Contact: Jeffrey Zoerb
Phone: 303-430-8838
Location: Eastlake, CO 80614

Lewis J. Neuwelt Investigations
Contact: Lewis Neuwelt
Phone: 877-604-5135
Location: Columbia, MD 21046

Financial Crime Solutions
Contact: Gregory Oldoerp
Phone: 480-229-5978
Location: Phoenix, AZ 85048
PI License: 1559767

Strategic Services Group
Contact: Jason Fogleman
Phone: 336-720-9341
Location: Winston Salem, NC 27117
PI License: NCPI 2137 NCCI 86

Professional Investigations Of Alabama
Contact: David West
Phone: 877-681-3088
Location: Montgomery, AL 36124
PI License: AL 070386

Third Strike Investigations
Contact: Jeff Simpson
Phone: 877-586-1364
Location: O Fallon, MO 63366
PI License: 01135

APS Investigations
Contact: Marty Strom
Phone: 970-420-4870
Location: Laporte, CO 80535

Don Martin And Associates
Contact: Don Martin
Phone: 765-452-1760
Location: Kokomo, IN 46901
PI License: PD10600055

Aspen Country Surveillance
Contact: Dave Stark
Phone: 970-618-8688
Location: Glenwood Springs, CO 81601

Lakeside Investigation, LLC
Contact: Tim Westphal
Phone: 586-822-6299
Location: Fraser, MI 48026
PI License: 3701205039

Portland Investigators
Contact: Steve Wilson
Phone: 503-481-0671
Location: Portland, OR 97283

Tenable Protective Services
Contact: Daniel McPeek
Phone: 216-789-2045
Location: Cleveland, OH 44114

Worldwide Investigation Services, L.L.C.
Contact: Max Astor
Phone: 704-200-6123
Location: Huntersville, NC 28070
PI License: 3809

Veenstra Detective Agency, Inc.
Contact: Frederick J. Veenstra
Phone: 715-355-8930
Location: Schofield, WI 54476

Bacom Investigation & Process Service
Contact: Brad Bacom
Phone: 409-832-5656
Location: Beaumont, TX 77720
PI License: A-08152

The PInow.com Team
(888) 997-4669
info@pinow.com

If you are not yet a member of PInow.com’s online Private Investigator Directory, please contact Cyndi Bowie at (888) 997-4669 ext. 707, or visit Advertise on PInow.com - The Worldwide Investigator Directory.

New PInow.com Members from Past Months:

Newest PInow.com Members — January & February 2007

PInow.com's Newest Members! - January - February 2007

Newest PInow.com Members -- January & February 2007

The PInow.com Team would like to welcome the newest countywide members of our online Private Investigator Directory. Below you will find the basic contact information for all of the qualified private investigators who joined the PInow.com online directory of local, pre-screened private investigators between January and February of 2007:




Nationwide Security Services, Inc.
Contact: David Litt
Phone: 877-529-2121
Location: Downers Grove, IL
- Nationwide Security Services, Inc. provides investigative services in the following areas: DuPage County, IL and the Chicagoland area



Dunbar & Associates, LLC
Contact: P.M. Dunbar
Phone: 928-680-2810
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
PI License: 1554815
- Dunbar & Associates, LLC provides investigative services in the following areas: Yuma County, AZ and Mohave County, AZ



Global Investigative & Management Solutions
Contact: Maurice Hicks
Phone: 702-452-8158
Location: Las Vegas, NV
PI License: 1402
- Global Investigative & Management Solutions provides investigative services in the following areas: Clark County, NV, including Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Summerlin, Henderson, Boulder City and Mesquite



Eagle Legal Services & Investigations
Contact: Meina Graham
Phone: 407-857-8506
Location: Orlando, FL
PI License: C9800259
- Eagle Legal Services & Investigations provides investigative services in the following areas: Orange County, FL



British American Consultants
Contact: David Roberts
Phone: 973-324-2395
Location: West Orange, NJ
PI License: 4774
- British American Consultants provides investigative services in the following areas: Essex County, NJ



T.M. Morgan Investigations
Contact: Thomas Morgan
Phone: 774-262-2113
Location: Worcester, MA
PI License: P-1428
- T.M. Morgan Investigations provides investigative services in the following areas: Worcester County, MA



Elite Process Serving & Investigations, Inc.
Contact: Melanie Broderick
Phone: 630-417-9497
Location: Lisle, IL
PI License: 117-001199
- Elite Process Serving & Investigations, Inc. provides investigative services in the following areas: Cook, Kane, DuPage, Lake, Will, McHenry, and Kendall County, Illinois



Metro Investigations, Inc.
Contact: Robert Stover
Phone: 816-550-1291
Location: Gladstone, MO
- Metro Investigations, Inc. provides investigative services in the following areas: Jackson County, MO



Countywide Investigations
Contact: Jerry & Lissette Rodriguez
Phone: 877-230-5858
Location: Miami, FL
- Countywide Investigations provides investigative services in the following areas: Miami-Dade County, FL



Professional Consulting and Investigations
Contact: Walter Lindsey
Phone: 423-400-9609
Location: Chattanooga, TN
PI Licese: 6261
- Professional Consulting and Investigations provides investigative services in the following areas: Hamilton County, TN as well as all of Tennessee



SLC Security Services LLC
Contact: Kevin Wetzel
Phone: 919-247-7848
Location: Raleigh, NC
- SLC Security Services LLC provides investigative services in the following areas: Wake County, NC as well as the entire state of North Carolina. SLC also covers all of South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee



Consulting & Investigative Services
Contact: Tracy Hoshell
Phone: 803-279-9003
Location: North Augusta, SC
PI License: 99527
- Consulting & Investigative Services provides investigative services in the following areas: Aiken County, SC



Empire Specialized Investigations
Contact: Lori Johnson
Phone: 949-645-1492
Location: Newport Beach, CA
PI License: 22176
- Empire Specialized Investigations provides investigative services in the following areas: Orange County, CA, Santa Barbara County, CA, San Diego County, CA and Riverside County, CA



Around The Clock Investigations
Contact: John Edwards
Phone: 423-948-5178
Location: Jonesborough, TN
PI License: 1503
- Around The Clock Investigations provides investigative services in the following areas: Washington County, TN



Apex Investigative Services, Inc.
Contact: William Leighton
Phone: 800-860-1161
Location: Glen Burnie, MD
PI License: 106-2302
- Apex Investigative Services, Inc. provides investigative services in the following areas: Anne Arundel County, MD



Carolinas Investigative Group, LLC
Contact: Jack Fanning
Phone: 704-852-7003
Location: Gastonia, NC
PI License: NC#3477 / SC#2311
- Carolinas Investigative Group, LLC provides investigative services in the following areas: Gaston County, NC



Pacific Surveillance Agency
Contact: Neil O'Neill
Phone: 800-474-1355
Location: Portland, OR
PI License: 36890
- Pacific Surveillance Agency provides investigative services in the following areas: Multnomah County, OR as well as the entire state of Oregon



ABCO Investigations
Contact: Timothy Keane
Phone: 410-213-0220
Location: Berlin, MD
PI License: 106-2924
- ABCO Investigations provides investigative services in the following areas: Worcester County, MD



Mapleton Investigations
Contact: Kevin Keyser
Phone: 888-257-3287
Location: Oconomowoc, WI
PI License: 11029-063
- Mapleton Investigations provides investigative services in the following areas: Waukesha County, WI and the entire state of Wisconsin



Second Nature Research
Contact: Daniel Velez
Phone: 713-865-0102
Location: Houston, TX
PI License: A12585
- Second Nature Research provides investigative services in the following areas: Harris County, TX



Armorbearer Investigations, LLC
Contact: Miguel Bruce
Phone: 313-347-3341
Location: Oak Park, MI
PI License: 3701205204
- Armorbearer Investigations, LLC provides investigative services in the following areas: Wayne County, MI



ET Investigative Service Inc.
Contact: Edward McCloskey
Phone: 718-845-4449
Location: Ozone Park, NY
PI License: 11000051960
- ET Investigative Service Inc. provides investigative services in the following areas: Suffolk County, NY



Rikki Glen & Associates
Contact: Rikki Glen
Phone: 608-219-9500
Location: Madison, WI
PI License: 9308-063
- Rikki Glen & Associates provides investigative services in the following areas: Dane County, WI



Joey D Investigations
Contact: Joey Danforah
Phone: 205-978-7188
Location: Birmingham, AL
- Joey D Investigations provides investigative services in the following areas: Jefferson County, AL



Priority One Investigations, Inc.
Contact: Danny & Peter Wohlleban
Phone: 480-388-4150
Location: Phoenix, AZ
PI License: 1547592
- Priority One Investigations, Inc. provides investigative services in the following areas: Maricopa County, AZ and the entire state of Arizona



Destin Investigations
Contact: Jim Blackburn
Phone: 800-956-8622
Location: Destin, FL
PI License: A 2500404
- Destin Investigations provides investigative services in the following areas: Okaloosa County, FL and Walton County, FL



Roger Holloway, Private Investigative Agency
Contact: Roger Holloway
Phone: 866-281-5214
Location: Dallas, TX
PI License: A10709
- Roger Holloway, Private Investigative Agency provides investigative services in the following areas: Dallas County, TX



Shelton Investigations, LLC
Contact: Ken Shelton
Phone: 260-665-6050
Location: Angola, IN
- Shelton Investigations, LLC provides a vast array of investigative services in the following areas: Stueben County, IN and Northern Indiana



Sabol and Associates, LLC
Contact: John Sabol
Phone: 877-228-6226
Location: Crestwood, KY
PI License: KY 0090
- Sabol and Associates, LLC provides investigative services in the following areas: Jefferson County, KY



Opacus Consulting, LLC
Contact: R. Douglas Lucero
Phone: 801-388-4818
Location: Roy, UT
PI License: G101579
- Opacus Consulting, LLC provides investigative services in the following areas: Salt Lake County, UT, Davis County, UT and Weber County, UT



Special Investigations, Inc.
Contact: Robert Hopper
Phone: 317-773-7900
Location: Noblesville, IN
PI License: PD19600005
- Special Investigations, Inc. provides investigative services in the following areas: Hamilton County, IN





The PInow.com Team
(888) 997-4669
info@pinow.com



If you are not yet a member of PInow.com's online Private Investigator
Directory, please contact Mike MacDonald at (888) 997-4669 ext. 703, or visit Advertise on PInow.com - The Worldwide Investigator Directory.