PI News Round-up - September 4, 2008

PInow.com Weekly News Round-up

September 4, 2008

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This week, the PInow.com staff was eagerly following these industry news stories:

Increasing Demand for PIs in Corporate Cases
NEW YORK, NY - PIs are reporting more calls from law firms and corporate counsel as fears about fraud and trademark theft grow and litigation increases. Ex-federal agents and ex-prosecutors are finding success using new technology to solve crimes. Much of the demand for PIs stems from a need to go through technical computer evidence - evidence that is too hard for attorneys to gather on their own. Ken Springer, an ex-FBI agent who now heads a PI firm called Corporate Resolutions Inc. notes that much of his work for corporations centers around undercover corporate surveillance - computer forensic work, email monitoring and financial monitoring. He notes that companies are more apt to put surveillance in place - and more likely to worry about the legalities of monitoring employees so closely.
	Read full article and comment	Source: Law.com, September 2, 2008

Product of the Week

Military Zoom Binoculars

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70 mm lens

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Pellicano Convicted
HOLLYWOOD, CA - PInow.com staff closely followed the case of Anthony Pellicano, the celebrity PI accused of illegal wiretapping. Pellicano was convicted on federal wiretapping and conspiracy charges. The federal jury took just one day to reach a verdict. They found both Pellicano and his co-defendant, attorney Terry Christensen, guilty of conspiracy. Both men face up to 10 years in prison and $500,000 in fines. They will be sentenced on November 17. Pellicano is awaiting sentencing for previous convictions, which include wiretapping, wire fraud, racketeering and racketeering conspiracy, manufacture or possession of a wiretapping device, identity theft, and conspiracy to intercept or use wire communications.
	Read full article and comment	Source: eFlux, September 1, 2008

Investigators Uncover Elaborate Shoplifting Scheme
SARNIA, CANDADA - Geoffrey Deacon used an elaborate and sophisticated shoplifting scheme to bilk Ontario businesses. He has been sentenced to 60 days in jail after pleading guilty to theft, misleading police and violating a court order. Private investigators tailed Deacon to Sarnia where they watched him visit several stores, and then contacted the Sarnia police. Deacon had an elaborate plan, which included maps of areas he targeted, and special reinforced shopping bags used to foil security devices in stores.
	Read full article and comment	Source: The Observer, September 3, 2008

Investigators Close in on International Investment Scam
MIAMI, FL - An alleged scam has cost investors approximately $30 million and now investigators are looking into an international investment scheme. The investigation is centered on the University of Miami, where apparently the computers, employees and offices of the school were used as part of the scam. PI Wayne Black, who found the connection between the scam and the university, says that many people were fooled, some using their retirement savings for the scam. The scam was allegedly the brainchild of Andres Pimstein, a business school graduate of the University of Miami. Pimstein reportedly told potential investors that he was head of a company called "The Bottom Line of South Florida," which sold perfumes and electronics to South America. Pimstein promised investors an 18% return.
	Read full article and comment	Source: CBS 4, Aug 21, 2008

Government Contract/RFP of the Week

Investigation Services - Nassau County, NY

The Nassau County Department of Social Services is soliciting proposals for the provision of investigation services. Investigation services involve the collection, verification, recording and evaluation of factual information, utilizing a variety of methods, including, but not necessarily limited to conducting: home visits, face-to-face interviews of beneficiaries, providers and witnesses, surveillance, undercover operations, provider shops, and accessing and researching information about a subject (asset and income verification, employment history, medical history, Medicaid claims data, financial information, etc.).

To view more details click here. Please note: To view this you must be a member of the PInow.com Yahoo! Group - membership is FREE! State and government contracts can provide investigators with steady, recurring revenue. Many PInow.com advertisers have been awarded contracts such as these as a result of being listed with us.