PI Alleges that Gotbaum May Have Struggled

PHOENIX, AZ - A PI hired by the family of Carol Anne Gotbaum, who passed away after being detained at the Phoenix airport, weighed in on the case. The PI was present during the woman’s autopsy and noticed bruises on her body, indicating there was a struggle. The actual autopsy was inconclusive and authorities claim that Gotbaum may have accidentally strangled herself while detained. Gotbaum’s family alleges that her death is due to police violence and they have hired a pathologist, an attorney, and PI to monitor the official investigation.

New Tax Law in Michigan Affects PIs

LANSING, MI - Michigan's new tax law, slated to go into effect December 1, has many businesses crying foul. Critics assert that the new law will punish a state that is already losing jobs and facing a low employment rate. The new law will place a 6 percent sales tax on services, including private investigators, as well as other industries. The president of the Michigan Council of Private Investigators said that he has received worried emails from many members who are concerned about the rising cost of doing business in the state.

Israel’s Education Ministry Hires PIs

ISRAEL - In Israel, low-income families are eligible for assistance in paying kindergarten fees. Now, the Education Ministry is cracking down on families who are abusing the system by hiring PIs to investigate parents who have applied for the kindergarten assistance. PIs are allowed to visit family homes to confirm standard of living, check employer pay slips, and even visit the children in kindergarten. A number of groups, including the Association for Human Rights, in Israel feel these powers are far too broad and amount to an invasion of privacy.

Father Hires PI to Locate Son

KANSAS CITY, MO - Don Ross, father of Jesse Ross, the University of Missouri-Kansas City student who went missing in Chicago last November, has turned to a PI. Ross' decision stems from the fact that police have stopped the search, although Jesse’s case is still an active missing person case. Ross has hired Peter Kelly of Belton to actively search for clues in the disappearance.

PI Sues Actor

LOS ANGELES, CA - PI John Perry has filed a lawsuit against Joe Pesci in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Perry claims that the actor has violated his contract. Perry was originally hired by Pesci for bodyguard services, property surveillance services, security detail, and investigation work. Perry was hired after Pesci’s former wife, Claudio Haro, was accused of hiring a hitman in 1995. Although Perry says he completed about $103,000 worth of services for Pesci, he claims he was never paid for services rendered.