PI News Round-up - May 14, 2009

PInow.com Weekly News Round-up

May 14, 2009

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PIs Found Guilty On Fraud Charges
TACOMA, WA – PI Darci P. Templeton and BNT Investigations employee Steven W. Berwick pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges but the duo were sentenced to supervised probation rather than jail time. Emilio A. and Brandy N. Torrella, who own BNT Investigations, have yet to face charges stemming from allegations that they used illegal methods for gathering information. The Torrellas allegedly even posed as their investigation targets to gather information they then shared with law firms, and other PI professionals.
	Read full article and comment	Source: SeattlePi.com, May 8, 2009

Book of the Week

The Sourcebook to Public Record Information

Released in 2009, The Sourcebook to Public Record Information: The Comprehensive Guide to County, State, & Federal Public Record Sources will help you locate the data you won't find with online search tools including inside phone numbers, fees, access restrictions and methodology.
Specifications:

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Save time. Know how records are indexed, who has public access terminals, what are the normal turnaround times and who's online.

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PI Hired for Priest Murder Case
AUSTIN, TX – Bishop Gregory Aymond of the Diocese of Austin has hired a PI to investigate the death of Father Jesse Euresti. Euresti was killed by Manuel Martin Torres Saldana, a man who confessed to the killing. Saldana was the caretaker for Euresti and lived in Euresti’s retirement home. Saldana also claimed that the two were involved in a romantic relationship. Saldana confessed that he killed Euresti after the priest threatened to evict him from his home following an argument. Saldana has been sentenced to 37 years in prison.
	Read full article and comment	Source: KVUE.com, May 7, 2009

Open Records Debate Heats Up in Texas
ARLINGTON, TX – In three weeks, the Texas legislative session will close. Meanwhile, a debate about a contentious issue is heating up. Some experts want to see public records from the state inaccessible to the public and to PIs. The Texas Association of Licensed Investigators has stated that there are 100 bills that are related in some way to how public records and government information is handled. PIs note that each such bill can affect the way their business is conducted. Some privacy groups are worried that current laws about public records could mean loss of privacy. PIs and media outlets note that public information and records are key to their industries.
	Read full article and comment	Source: The Marshall News Messenger, May 9, 2009

Funding Increase for Defendants In Need
RIVERSIDE, CA – The Board of Supervisors has approved more funding for investigation services offered to criminal defendants with limited financial means. Attorneys who handle defense cases for indigent defendants requested more money for PIs and their services. Initially, the county executive wanted an additional $90,000 per month for these services. Currently, $60,000 per month is used for the purpose. The Board of Supervisors agreed to increase that amount to $75,000.
	Read full article and comment	Source: The Desert Sun, May 13, 2009

One Out of Three Security Guards Escape Background Checks
DUBLIN, IRELAND – According to information gathered by Irish media, over a third of private security guards and bouncers in the country have avoided mandatory background checks. It is estimated that about 7,400 professionals in these jobs have escaped vetting, usually because they had a Criminal Record Certificate which, according to the Private Security Authority (PSA) allows these employees to avoid background checks. However, some note that there are no measures in place to contact foreign countries to ensure that the Criminal Record Certificates are accurate.
	Read full article and comment	Source: The Herald, May 12, 2009

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