An out-of-state private-investigation firm selected by city officials to check into allegations against Jackson police Chief Ervin Portis may be breaking the law if it takes the case.
Risk Management Association Inc. of Raleigh, N.C., is not licensed in Michigan — an apparent requirement of Michigan law. According to the Private Detective License Act of 1965, conducting an investigation without a license is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
The licensing issue was raised earlier this week by the Michigan Council of Private Investigators.
“We’ve got a huge problem if they’re not licensed,” said Peter Psarouthakis, council president. “The idea behind licensing is to protect the consumer. Their consumer is here in Michigan. I can’t go to Indiana or Ohio or Wisconsin and get clients and conduct investigations.”
Psarouthakis wrote letters to Mayor Jerry Ludwig and the county prosecutor’s office to “point these things out.” His letter included a copy of the state statute.
City Attorney Julius Giglio said his office began looking into the issue after he became aware of the situation Monday.
Jackson officials began looking for a private investigator after police Sgt. Scott Rogers complained in mid-April that Portis created a hostile work environment. Risk Management was chosen by City Manager William Ross earlier this month.
Ross said the responsibility to ensure compliance with state law lies with Risk Management.
“It’s up to them to determine if they believe they need a license,” Ross said. “That falls on their shoulders, not on ours.”
Michael Longmire, president of Risk Management, said the firm “would not intentionally do anything to violate the state of Michigan’s laws.” He said it was his understanding that the company would be considered a “temporary government employee.”
The Private Detective License Act defines a private investigator as a person who “accepts employment to conduct an investigation for the purpose of obtaining information concerning the identity, occupation, reputation or character of a person.”
The city has not signed a contract with the company yet, and Ross said the city is still fielding inquiries from other firms.
Al Cavasin, who is on the board of directors for the council of private investigators and is the president of the National Council of Investigation and Security Services, said the firm is not a government employee.
“The thing that hurts me the most about this, as miserable as our economy is, is that the city would deliberately do this, almost malice of forethought,” Cavasin said. “They have no concern for Michigan taxpayers and breadwinners and, quite frankly, it pisses me off.”
It would have been easier to partner with a Michigan based firm. Generally people that are in these investigators assn spend more time trying to find violations of out of state investigators as they have no cases to work themselves. If you check the complaints against those that are Presidents, VP’s and others in state associations, they figure highly on the list. One good example is down in FL where Action Research Group is a member and officer in FALI, WAD and other groups. Now facing serious charges for illegal breach of phone records.
Need I say more!
Comment by George Ryan — June 26, 2007 @ 9:24 am