PI Blotter: Rapper Hires Private Investigator
- September 26, 2012
- by PInow Staff
- In the News
Each week PInow combs the web for the latest and most interesting industry news stories to bring you the Weekly Private Investigator Blotter.
Lawsuit Filed in Texas Over Private Investigators Allegedly Hired by Scientology Leader
SAN PATRICIO COUNTY, TX – A lawsuit has been filed in Texas, alleging that Scientology leader David Miscavige hired two private investigators to place Pat Broeker under surveillance. The two private investigators, Paul Marrick and Greg Arnold, are now suing the Church of Scientology, alleging that they were hired for the surveillance work in 1988 and were made to believe that their work was permanent. Miscavige allegedly paid the two investigators up to $12 million for informational about Broeker, who was then Miscavige’s opponent for leadership of Scientology. The church has not made any comments about the lawsuit.
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More Calls for Industry Regulation in Britain
BRITAIN – With no regulatory system for private investigators in Britain, and a year of scandals involving PIs, some experts in that country are calling for regulation of the industry. The latest questions about the industry come on the heels of news reports that previous Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lord Stevens had been placed under surveillance by private investigators from Southern Investigations. There are reportedly 5,000 to 10,000 private investigators in Britain, working without regulation. While police need to meet many regulations to conduct surveillance work, investigators have no such requirements to proceed.
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Spyware Raises Concerns
AUSTRALIA – Do It Yourself (DIY) spying software is being touted as a way to catch cheating spouses, even though federal police have attempted to ban the spyware and even though security experts have warned against the mobile phone "spyware". The software costs about $1 per day and allows users to switch off mobile phone functions, track mobile phone users, and listen in to phone conversations. The spyware works in stealth mode, so that those under surveillance do not know that they are being tracked and listened to.
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Rapper Hires Private Investigator
NEW YORK, NY – Rapper 50 Cent has hired a New York private investigator, according to sources, to get answers about the death of Chris Lighty, the former manager and friend of the singer. Lighty’s death was officially ruled a suicide but 50 Cent reportedly has questions about that finding. Lighty’s family also disagree with the suicide ruling and have ordered a second autopsy.
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Private Investigator Sentenced
OAKLAND, CA – Christopher Butler, a California private investigator, has been sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy, robbery, and extortion. Butler was involved in the so-called Dirty DUI scam, setting up people for DUI arrests, and stealing narcotics from law enforcement. The Dirty DUI scam involved hiring attractive women to lure men into cheating and then driving under the influence. The men targeted would be the spouses of Butler’s clients. Once the men were in the car after meeting up with the hired women, Butler would orchestrate a DUI arrest.
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Private Investigator Charged with Stalking
ALTOONA, PA – Craig G. Zahradnik, a Pennsylvania private investigator, has been arrested for stalking his ex-wife and has been released on bail. Zahradnik’s attorney has stated that the wife’s accusations of stalking stem from a custody battle, but the wife has stated that she fears Zahradnik’s anger. Zahradnik is the owner of Zahradnik Investigations.
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