DENVER, CO – A proposed new law in Colorado would make it harder for insurers and PIs in that state to investigate possible insurance fraud. Insurance companies often hire PIs to investigate claimants they think might be exaggerating or falsifying injuries. Under the suggested new law, companies would have to present a case before an administrative judge and show that they have some evidence or cause to think that a claimant may be committing fraud. Currently, insurance companies require no reason or proof to launch an investigation, and some companies use random checks to track down fraudsters.

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LONDON, ENGLAND – Elin Nordegren, wife of troubled golfer Tiger Woods, has hired a PI, allegedly to check Woods’ assets and wealth, possibly as a precursor to divorce proceedings. Nordegren will likely divorce Woods in California, where divorce laws tend to be more generous to ex-spouses. Nordegren likely wants to know the full extent of Woods’ wealth before filing. Experts believe the pro golfer is worth about $1 billion.

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SACRAMENTO, CA – June Ann Lucena was a prison guard at Folso, but has since been found guilty of insurance fraud. Now, she is being required to repay $244,000 in restitution for her fraud. Lucena sustained a workplace injury in 1999. She continued collecting payments after a disability retirement, alleging that her injuries left her severely injured and unable to perform many physical tasks. A PI who discovered the fraud, however, filmed her going down water slides at a water park in 2002 and then jet skiing.

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VANCOUVER, CANADA – Today, cheating has become simpler in a world of cell phones and instant messages – trysts can easily be arranged through a mobile device in seconds. However, PIs and infidelity experts warn that mobile devices which enable cheating also make it much easier to catch cheaters. Cell phones can be hacked by suspicious spouses and tracking devices on cars can easily lead investigators or a spouse to a hotel room or other secret location. Even deleted phone records and computer records can easily be retrieved by a PI or computer experts. PI John Sullivan notes that most affairs leave an electronic trail – including emails, text messages, cell phone entries, Internet records, images on surveillance cameras, social networking photos and more – that make the discovery of an infidelity inevitable.

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NEW YORK, NY – Infidelity expert Ruth Houston has noted that Tiger Woods, who has been accused of cheating on his wife, showed some of the classic signs of a cheating spouse. The golfer allegedly did not use condoms or other forms of protection with his mistresses, took his mistresses home while his wife was away, complained about unhappiness in his marriage and had multiple partners. Woods also allegedly used friends and bodyguards to facilitate cheating. These are common behaviors of many men who engage in extra-marital affairs, according to Houston.

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TORONTO, CANADA – The Ontario SPCA launched a six-month investigation into allegations made against the Toronto Humane Society and its president, Tim Trow. PIs combed garbage during their investigation and eventually found evidence of animal cruelty and abuse which led to arrest of Trow and four others associated with the Toronto shelter. PIs interviewed volunteers and employees of the Toronto Humane Society during their investigation. The investigative work will likely play a major role in any court cases and criminal charges that result from the case.

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CLARKSVILLE, TN – Recently, a motion was filed alleging that traffic cameras in the city, operated by Redflex Traffic Systems Inc., violated state PI laws. Now, attorney Lance Baker has filed a response on behalf of the city. Baker notes that even if Redflex violates PI laws – which require that licensed PIs can gather evidence for court purposes – evidence gathered by the traffic cameras should not automatically be deemed inadmissible. Baker and the city are arguing that the exclusionary rule does not apply in the traffic camera case because defendants’ constitutional rights were not violated in the gathering of evidence.

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WADMALAW ISLAND, SC – Evidence seized in the investigation into Katherine Waring’s death sparked a debate between PIs and local police. PIs investigating Katherine Waring’s death found the woman’s remains and gathered evidence at the scene. When police arrived at the scene, they seized the evidence as well as the cars belonging to the PIs, igniting a legal battle over who had rights to what. An attorney for Katherine Waring’s family, who had hired the PIs, claimed the police actions violated attorney-client privilege and sued local police.

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