Empire Specialized Investigations - Newport Beach CA Private Investigator

EMPIRE SPECIALIZED INVESTIGATIONS - Newport Beach Private Investigators, Web Site Pages

2011-01-15T19:13:00.000-08:00

Empire Specialized Investigations, CA PI 22176

Specialized Professional Investigative Services - Throughout the State of California, Since 2000 * ORANGE COUNTY OFFICE: (949) 645-1492

NEWPORT BEACH, CA PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR

Visit or web site: http://www.ESI-Subrosa.com/

http://www.esi-subrosa.com/surveillance-private-investigator.html

http://privateinvestigator.lawinfo.com/expert/orangecounty-privateinvestigator/

ESI: Orange County Private Investigator-Orange County Private Investigations Private Investigator

http://www.esi-subrosa.com/

ESI: Orange County CA Private Investigator-Orange County California Private Investigations Private Investigators
http://www.esi-subrosa.com/orange-county-ca-private-investigator/about-us.html

ESI: California Private Investigators-Private Investigator Services
http://www.esi-subrosa.com/services-ca-private-investigator.html

ESI: Newport Beach Private Investigator-Newport Beach Private Investigations Private Investigators
http://www.esi-subrosa.com/newport-beach-private-investigator/forms.html

ESI: Private Investigators Surveillance & GPS Vehicle Tracking - Private Investigator
http://www.esi-subrosa.com/surveillance-private-investigator.html

ESI: Private Investigators Asset Search Investigations-Private Investigator
http://www.esi-subrosa.com/asset-investigations-private-investigator.html

ESI: Private Investigators Workers Comp Insurance Fraud Investigations- Private Investigator
http://www.esi-subrosa.com/insurance-private-investigator.html

ESI: Private Investigators Infidelity Surveillance - Cheating Spouse Infidelity Private Investigator
http://www.esi-subrosa.com/infidelity-private-investigator.html

ESI: Process Server-Process Servers Orange County Los Angeles Riverside San Diego San Francisco California - Serve All Legal Documents
http://www.esi-subrosa.com/california/process-server.html

Empire Specialized Investigations
(949) 645-1492

Los Angeles Times News - KMS Unlicensed Defrauds PIs

2010-08-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Times News | Private Investigators are victims in alleged scam by Kevin Sianez, 53, a former Santa Ana and Stanton police officer, is accused of trying to defraud clients and other professional investigators. He is expected to be arraigned this week.

LA TIMES NEWS ARTICLE
For the private investigators who authorities say became victims of Kevin Sianez, the job wasn't the cloaked adventure and jaded triumph of Hollywood. Many were just scraping by, trying to pick up scarce jobs via the Internet when they crossed paths with the one-time police officer.

Dave Qualls of Qualls Investigations in Elkton, Md., said he did a surveillance job in 2006 as a subcontractor for Orange County-based Sianez, who found Qualls through an online search. Qualls spent two weeks on the job and sent Sianez the results. It wasn't until after Qualls received weeks of promises to pay — and an overnight envelope that arrived empty — that he began to believe he'd been scammed.

The police didn't help, saying it was a civil matter, so Qualls took to the Internet to warn others. But almost as soon as he posted a complaint, one appeared attacking his business. Others who were allegedly defrauded and tried to give warning also said they found themselves under attack and without recourse. Some said they had to change their business names, while others — such as Qualls — decided it just wasn't worth the effort to fight back.

"I said: 'I'm done. I don't want all this stuff. I'm just a small company. I'll just take that money as a loss,'" he said. "And that's what I did."

Orange County prosecutors now say that Sianez, 53, posed as a licensed private investigator in several states and allegedly scammed not just the scorned lovers and ex-spouses who found his business online, but also the real private investigators who might have known better. Those who went to the police were often told it was a civil matter. And those who tried to warn others believe Sianez came after them with a vengeance.

"He drew from that skill set as a police officer to do what he was doing," said private investigator Lori Johnson. "He knows where the envelope is and how far he could push the line. He knows when the police will get involved, and he teetered there on the line."

Johnson believes there are many more people pretending to be licensed investigators on the Internet scamming those who hire them.

"It's rampant," she said. "Because of the economy, it is an epidemic in our industry."

Sianez is expected to be arraigned this week in Orange County on 63 counts, including grand theft, second-degree commercial burglary, possession of a firearm by a felon, theft, identity theft, perjury, computer access and fraud, and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person. In addition, he is accused of engaging in a conspiracy to commit sexual assault of an animal by posting ads on Craigslist to have women engage in bestiality with his dog, authorities said.

His attorney did not return calls seeking comment.

Sianez is a former Santa Ana and Stanton police officer who'd been convicted of theft and stalking. Prosecutors said he has never been a licensed private investigator.

Between 2005 and this year, he used the Internet to advertise investigative services under different names — KMS Investigations, Fore-Front Investigations and 4Front Investigations, prosecutors said. At times he even dictated investigation reports to his secretary off the top of his head, making up details to tell his clients, said Orange County Deputy Dist. Atty. Israel Claustro.

David Hough, owner of Eye on Vermont Investigation in Barre, Vt., said Sianez subcontracted him to do a job. Hough was wary of being scammed, he said, so he refused to turn over what he found until payment arrived. It took days — and one false invoice — but Hough got his money, he said.

A few months later, Hough got a call informing him that he was under investigation in Vermont for defrauding Sianez. The investigation was quickly dropped when the investigator realized Sianez was the target of dozens of complaints, Hough said.

In 2008, Johnson, of Empire Specialized Investigations in Newport Beach, was looking for references to her business on the Internet when she came across a series of complaints against Sianez. There were dozens, if not more, dating from 2005.

"They were basically crying on these listings, saying they'd spent the last little bit of their money," she said. "They were distraught....And they had no advocate. Nobody was doing anything."

Johnson began investigating Sianez. She checked with the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, the agency that licenses private investigators, to see if Sianez was licensed. She checked other states as well and found no records. She posted a note on her business website warning people against working with Sianez.

Not long after, she said, she got a call from a man who claimed to be Sianez's lawyer warning her to take the note down. When she asked for his State Bar number and where he graduated, Johnson said, the man hung up.

A couple of minutes later, she said, a man with the same voice called back from the same number. If Johnson didn't take down the postings, the man told her, he was going to burn her house.

Local detectives investigated but didn't get far.

After that, Johnson called the state licensing board, the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and even the postmaster general once a month to see if anything could be done. Most of the time, she said, she was told they just didn't have the resources.

Then, earlier this year, she discovered that the Orange County district attorney's office was investigating the claims against Sianez, culminating in the charges against him.

Johnson said her pleas of getting "somebody do something" were finally answered

UPDATE: Ex-cop charged in a 63-count criminal complaint OC Judge ordered KMS into custody at arraignment

2010-07-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

Ex-cop accused in sex-for-dog case in custody - OC Register

KMS Ex-Cop taken into custody, Again for working as an unlicensed private investigator

SANTA ANA – A former police officer and unlicensed private investigator accused of fraud was taken into custody at a hearing Wednesday after a judge determined he violated a court order by continuing to work.

Kevin Michael Sianez, 53, is charged with 65 counts for running an illegal private investigation business, and in a separate allegation, for allegedly seeking women willing to engage in sexual acts with his Labrador retriever.

Kevin Sianez, KMS, who was arrested in June and posted bail in July, appeared in court for his arraignment. Orange County Superior Court Judge Erick L. Larsh ordered that he be taken into custody after evidence surfaced that Sianez had answered two calls placed to his work line and posted ads in Oklahoma and Louisiana seeking clients, Deputy District Attorney Israel Claustro said.

Sianez's lawyer Joe Hennigan opposed his client being taken into custody, arguing that his client was not continuing to work.

Prosecutors say Sianez falsely identified himself to clients as a licensed private investigator, posted false online reviews to increase his web presence and mislead people into thinking he operated a nationwide network of offices and investigators rather than a small suite office in Fountain Valley with less than five employees, primarily family members.

Claustro said he committed about $216,000 in fraud, including taking money from clients and not performing the work, or defrauding other private investigators he sub-contracted with.

Sianez is a former law enforcement officer. He worked for the Santa Ana and former Stanton police departments from 1979 to 1986, before operating his private investigation service from November 2005 to June 2010. He reportedly ran the business under several names, including KMS Investigations, Fore-Front Investigations and 4Front Investigations.

Prosecutors also say Sianez threatened former employees who alerted authorities, including threatening to burn down the house of another investigator who posted warnings about Sianez on the Internet.

Prosecutors discovered evidence of the bestiality conspiracy during their probe. They allege that Sianez exchanged e-mails with several individuals who responded to a Craigslist posting seeking woman willing to engage in bestiality with his dog.

Kevin Michael Sianez is in custody July 21, 2010 at Orange County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail. His arraignment was postponed until Aug. 26.

Kevin Michael Sianez - illegally operating private investigation services without a license, felony charges 20 counts of grand theft by false pretense

2010-07-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Times News -- Private Investigators scammed by Kevin Michael Sianez, 53, Fountain Valley, has been charged in a 63-count criminal complaint.

For the private investigators who authorities say became victims of Kevin Sianez, the job wasn't the cloaked adventure and jaded triumph of Hollywood. Many were just scraping by, trying to pick up scarce jobs via the Internet when they crossed paths with the one-time police officer.

Dave Qualls of Qualls Investigations in Elkton, Md., said he did a surveillance job in 2006 as a subcontractor for Orange County-based Sianez, who found Qualls through an online search. Qualls spent two weeks on the job and sent Sianez the results. It wasn't until after Qualls received weeks of promises to pay — and an overnight envelope that arrived empty — that he began to believe he'd been scammed.

The police didn't help, saying it was a civil matter, so Qualls took to the Internet to warn others. But almost as soon as he posted a complaint, one appeared attacking his business. Others who were allegedly defrauded and tried to give warning also said they found themselves under attack and without recourse. Some said they had to change their business names, while others — such as Qualls — decided it just wasn't worth the effort to fight back.

"I said: 'I'm done. I don't want all this stuff. I'm just a small company. I'll just take that money as a loss,'" he said. "And that's what I did."

Orange County prosecutors now say that Sianez, 53, posed as a licensed private investigator in several states and allegedly scammed not just the scorned lovers and ex-spouses who found his business online, but also the real private investigators who might have known better. Those who went to the police were often told it was a civil matter. And those who tried to warn others believe Sianez came after them with a vengeance.

"He drew from that skill set as a police officer to do what he was doing," said private investigator Lori Johnson. "He knows where the envelope is and how far he could push the line. He knows when the police will get involved, and he teetered there on the line."

Johnson believes there are many more people pretending to be licensed investigators on the Internet scamming those who hire them.

"It's rampant," she said. "Because of the economy, it is an epidemic in our industry."

Sianez is expected to be arraigned this week in Orange County on 63 counts, including grand theft, second-degree commercial burglary, possession of a firearm by a felon, theft, identity theft, perjury, computer access and fraud, and possession of ammunition by a prohibited person. In addition, he is accused of engaging in a conspiracy to commit sexual assault of an animal by posting ads on Craigslist to have women engage in bestiality with his dog, authorities said.

His attorney did not return calls seeking comment.

Sianez is a former Santa Ana and Stanton police officer who'd been convicted of theft and stalking. Prosecutors said he has never been a licensed private investigator.

Between 2005 and this year, he used the Internet to advertise investigative services under different names — KMS Investigations, Fore-Front Investigations and 4Front Investigations, prosecutors said. At times he even dictated investigation reports to his secretary off the top of his head, making up details to tell his clients, said Orange County Deputy Dist. Atty. Israel Claustro.

David Hough, owner of Eye on Vermont Investigation in Barre, Vt., said Sianez subcontracted him to do a job. Hough was wary of being scammed, he said, so he refused to turn over what he found until payment arrived. It took days — and one false invoice — but Hough got his money, he said.

A few months later, Hough got a call informing him that he was under investigation in Vermont for defrauding Sianez. The investigation was quickly dropped when the investigator realized Sianez was the target of dozens of complaints, Hough said.

In 2008, Johnson, of Empire Specialized Investigations in Newport Beach, was looking for references to her business on the Internet when she came across a series of complaints against Sianez. There were dozens, if not more, dating from 2005.

"They were basically crying on these listings, saying they'd spent the last little bit of their money," she said. "They were distraught....And they had no advocate. Nobody was doing anything."

Johnson began investigating Sianez. She checked with the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, the agency that licenses private investigators, to see if Sianez was licensed. She checked other states as well and found no records. She posted a note on her business website warning people against working with Sianez.

Not long after, she said, she got a call from a man who claimed to be Sianez's lawyer warning her to take the note down. When she asked for his State Bar number and where he graduated, Johnson said, the man hung up.

A couple of minutes later, she said, a man with the same voice called back from the same number. If Johnson didn't take down the postings, the man told her, he was going to burn her house.

Local detectives investigated but didn't get far.

After that, Johnson called the state licensing board, the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and even the postmaster general once a month to see if anything could be done. Most of the time, she said, she was told they just didn't have the resources.

Then, earlier this year, she discovered that the Orange County district attorney's office was investigating the claims against Sianez, culminating in the charges against him.

Johnson said her pleas of getting "somebody do something" were finally answered

Orange County District Attorney Press Release:
http://orangecountyda.com/home/index.asp?page=8&recordid=1907&returnurl=index%2Easp%3Fpage%3D8

FORMER POLICE OFFICER CHARGED - Kevin Michael Sianez, charged in a 63-count criminal complaint

2010-06-26T11:12:00.000-07:00

ORANGE COUNTY, CA MENACE AND UNLICENSED THIEF FINALLY GETS CAUGHT.
I have been investigating Kevin Michael Sianez -KMS Investigations, Fore-Front Investigations, and 4Front Investigations and his on going scams against the public since 2008. I have done everything legal, under the sun to bring this convicted criminal to bear the consequence of his nationwide illegal rampage.

My efforts have come at great cost to my company name and me. These people Kevin has flagrantly victimized economically have no advocates… getting the police involved on a local level is almost impossible. Victims are told by PDs it’s a civil matter. As we can now see Kevin is a menace to everyone!
Read - Orange County Distric Attorney Office Press Release.

ORANGE REGISTER NEWS - Former police officer facing fraud, intimidation charge
http://orangecountyda.com/home/index.asp?page=8&recordid=1907&returnurl=index%2Easp%3Fpage%3D8

CA Licensed Private Investigator Empire Specialized Investigations Posts Consumer Alert for Orange County

2010-01-19T19:06:00.000-08:00

CA Licensed PI Empire Specialized Investigations - Posting a Consumer Alert for Orange County and Los Angeles County. The area is over-run with unlicensed investigators --CONSUMER ALERT ABOUT UNLICENSED INVESTIGATORS IN OC & LA

Thieves Masquerading as private investigators while in reality all they are is unlicensed Predatory Thieves stealing work from legitimate licensed private investigators and victimizing consumers that hire them. Their unlicensed vermin! Always confirm your PI has a license in California -- CONSUMER ALERT

I am a licensed private investigator in Orange County. For the last 16 years I have worked in the investigative industry, and for the past 13 years I was employed as senior staff. In 2000 I received my private investigator license and started my own PI business. Subsequently, I have invested the time to learn the legal and business aspects of this industry. I know my competitors... there is a healthy competition between us, but that’s business. Aside from that most of us are friends. As a business owner and investigator, I embrace an intense personal responsibility to provide ethical and professional services to my clients as well as monitor my market area.

CONSUMER ALERT

Unfortunately, with the economic times the way they are fraud is rampant and corruption has permeated almost every aspect of our financial institutions. Identities are being stolen at alarming rate families are loosing everything… yet these thieves have no sense of empathy or conciseness and where is the accountability! Our industry is no different.

Our industry is quickly becoming plagued with a new kind of unlicensed vermin. These thieves masquerade as licensed private investigator in their respective area, but their not. So as a consumer please check the credential of the prospective investigator you are considering of hiring.

CONSUMER ALERT

The State of California BSIS (California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services) requires including but not limited to, 6000 thousand hours of on the job training or POST certified (Peace Officer Standards and Training) to be eligible to apply for a private investigator license. Then applicants are finger-printed by a local PD, the prints are submitted to the Department of Justice for a background check. After that is completed applicants have to pass a written examination, which is proctored by a designated state official. (The examination has an 85% failure rate.) http://www.post.ca.gov/Training/cptn/certified.asp

CONSUMER ALERT HELP REPORT THEM!
As consumers if you are considering hiring a private investigator "Caveat Emptor, buyer beware," please check the license of any investigation agency or detective your considering, verify their license and insurance. If your request for restitution falls on deaf ears, take them to small claims court. Second, file a complaint with BSIS and your call local police department, they might have a criminal record, or even worse a flunky with a criminal record that has been booted off the police force! You don’t want this criminal to have your credit card info.

Bureau of Security and Investigative Services - BSIS
• 2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 270 Sacramento, CA 95834
• (916) 322-4000 FAX (916) 575-7290
• http://www.bsis.ca.gov/online_services/verify_license.shtml
• Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI
• Internet Crime Complaint Center http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
• Local field office locator: http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm

CA Private Investigator :: Asset Searches :: Asset Investigative :: Judgment Recovery Services

2009-12-07T17:25:00.000-08:00

CALIFORNIA LICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR

Specialized Investigative Services Throughout the

State of California & Nationwide Asset Searhces

Empire Specialized Investigations

CALL THE EXPERTS ~ CALIFORNIA OFFICE: (949) 645-1492

Asset Searches :: Asset Investigations :: Judgment Enforcement & Recovery Services :: Finaical Investigations Nationwide

Visit or web site: http://www.ESI-Subrosa.com/

ASSET SEARCHE INVESTIGATION SERVICES

http://www.esi-subrosa.com/asset-investigations-private-investigator.html

Do you have a Judgment and the Debtor Wont Pay – ESI conducts asset searches in all 50 states, an asset search for bank accounts and savings accounts, 401 K, brokerage accounts can determine where the liquid assets are being held. ESI can assist with seizure of the accounts and enforcement through writs, levies, garnishments.

Pre-Litigation and Post-Litigation Asset Investigation. Pre-Litigaion asset searches are used to determine what assets or income may be used in the event a judgment is ordered. These types of investigative searches utilize public sources and non-public sources available to licensed professional agencies to determine a company’s financial solvency or profitability. As well as, determine assets of a debtor for pre-judgment attachments.

Now a recognized expert in asset search investigations. Asset searches conducted in all 50 states, Pre-litigation and Post-litigation asset search investigation bank account, stocks, 401 K, post-litigation judgment enforcement with writs, levy’s, garnishments.

Also family law issues, custody monitoring surveillance and high risk services; business investigations embezzlement and dishonest employees. We are fully insured as a private investigator and bonded as a process server.

ESI has a proven track record of 13 years conducting insurance investigations with established clients in Los Angeles County and Orange County while offering the same level of professional expertise and performance to private clients. Our investigations are custom tailored to each client particular needs and requests and all Investigative services are confidential.

California Private Investigator ESI Announces New Services - Process Server For Evasive and Hard to Serve Individuals

2009-03-02T21:46:00.000-08:00

ESI – PROFESSIONAL PROCESS SERVICE & LEGAL DOCUMENT SERVICES

CA (949) 645-1492

Professional Process Service – California

Normal Service – Rush Service – Same Day Service – Evasive and Hard to Serve Individuals

VISIT OUR WEB SITES:

http://www.esi-subrosa.com/ /\ http://www.esi-processserver.com/

ATTORNEY DOCUMENT SERVICES:
ESI – Legal Document Services / Process Servers; provide Service of Process by California Registered Process Servers. Our staff is extremely professional and highly trained to complete all aspects of Civil or Federal Service. ESI also provides additional services for defendants and respondents that are avoiding service through the usual means; defendants that have been extremely evasive and hard to serve. ESI provides Process Servers that specialize in effecting service in the most difficult of assignments.

ESI – Process Servers are bonded and registered process servers. Our staff are able to serve all legal documents; Summons and Complaints - Record Subpoenas - Small Claims Cases - Personal Subpoenas - Restraining Orders - Writs - Bank Levies - Notices to pay or Quit - Wage Attachments - Cross-complaints - Evictions - Pleadings - Motions - Correspondence – Discovery - Order for Appearance and Examination and Judgment Debtor’s Statement of Assets.

ESI – Legal Support Services; Provide a licensed California Private investigator that can conduct in-depth Skiptrace Service and Address History Searches, Postal Forward Searches to locate individuals or business that have moved. ESI can also provide due diligence declaration prepared by a paralegal. We can provide additional services such as surveillance video for difficult serves which can be uses as evidence for proof of service.

PROFESSIONAL INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES SUCH AS:

-Surveillance ALL ASPECTS (Infidelity/Family Law Issues/Civil Custody Monitoring)

- Surveillance Hidden Cameras and Stationary Surveillance Vehicles

- Attorney Services, Process Server Locate Individual for Service

- Background Checks

- Business Investigations Embezzlement

- Locate Hidden Assets in All 50 States

- Child Custody Monitoring

- Family Law Issues and High Risk Services

- Insurance, W/C Fraud, Subrosa, AOE/COE, subrogation

- GPS Tracking Individual/Business Vehicles

- Pre-employment Screening

- Employee Embezzlement FRAUD- Skip Tracing locate people for Service of Process

INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES INCLUDE: Infidelity investigations and surveillance, asset searches all 50 states, family law issues custody monitoring and high risk services; business investigations embezzlement and dishonest employees, domestic surveillance. Our clients vary from private parties to individuals of economic means needing discretion too attorneys, State and City Governing Agencies, insurance companies. ESI is fully insured as a private investigator and bonded as a process server. ESI has 13 years professional investigative experience and provide services for San Francisco San Bernardino San Diego San Jose San Juan San Benito San Juan Capistrano Orange County Mendocino County Monterey County Napa County Los Angeles Los Alamitos Los Altos Northern California Private Investigator and Southern California Private Investigator.

You Tube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcJ9Jxt9w-o

You Tube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcvM1Yt1LYc

Thieves masquerading as private investigators in California

2008-10-18T08:42:00.000-07:00

NEW SCAM - Thieves Masquerading as private investigators in California

I am a licensed private investigator in Orange County. For the last 16 years I have worked in the investigative industry, and for the past 13 years I was employed as senior staff. In 2000 I received my private investigator license and started my own PI business. Subsequently, I have invested the time to learn the legal and business aspects of this industry. I know my competitors... there is a healthy competition between us, but that’s business. Aside from that most of us are friends. As a business owner and investigator, I embrace an intense personal responsibility to provide ethical and professional services to my clients as well as monitor my market area.

Recently our industry (Private Investigators) has had the dubious honor of being linked by professional name only, to individuals that crawled out from under their rock to commit serious crimes. Luckily they were scooped up by law enforcement and reassigned to new living accommodations away from the public.

However, our industry is quickly becoming plagued with a new kind of vermin. Individuals that represent themselves as private investigators whom throw up web sites and market on the internet. A venue that that is world wide, published and marketed by a blind corporate conglomerate with very little over-site. These new kind of vermin say that their private investigators and insured. They say everyone on their staff are retired cops. But there is one legal detail missing. There is no PI license number posted anywhere on the web site. The State of California requires all PIs advertising in a public forum, to post their license number on all advertisements and in their office.

The State of California BSIS (California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services) requires including but not limited to, 6000 thousand hours of on the job training or POST certified (Peace Officer Standards and Training) to be eligible to apply for a private investigator license. Then applicants are finger-printed by a local PD, the prints are submitted to the Department of Justice for a background check. After that is completed applicants have to pass a written examination, which is proctored by a designated state official. (The examination has an 85% failure rate.) http://www.post.ca.gov/Training/cptn/certified.asp

The scam is this… There are individuals marketing as private investigators or private investigation agencies that have failed to obtain a license as a private investigator. They market on the world wide web. The site look professional enough except for one detail; there is no license number posted any where on their site. Again, the state requires all PI to post their license number on advertisements.

Simply put... Their not licensed private investigators and consumers are truly at the mercy of a heartless thief, taking their money leaving customers limited recourse to collect on bad services. Unfortunately, bad services is the least of your problems should this unlicensed investigator break the law and drag you into court.

As consumers if you are considering hiring a private investigator "Caveat Emptor, buyer beware," please check the license of any investigation agency or detective your considering, verify their license and insurance. If your request for restitution falls on deaf ears, take them to small claims court. Second, file a complaint with BSIS and your call local police department, they might have a criminal record and you’ll be doing everyone a favor.

Bureau of Security and Investigative Services - BSIS
2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 270 Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 322-4000 FAX (916) 575-7290
http://www.bsis.ca.gov/online_services/verify_license.shtml
Federal Bureau of Investigation - FBI
Internet Crime Complaint Center http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
Local field office locator: http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm

blog by: Newport Beach Private Investigator, Empire Specialized Investigations... What to consider when Hiring a California Private Investigator.

2008-06-25T18:51:00.000-07:00

-CALIFORNIA LICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR OFFICES IN- NEWPORT BEACH @ 620 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA
SAN FRANCISCO@ 101 California Street, San Francisco, CA

Review this article first... Things to Consider When Hiring a Private Investigator. Are they licensed by the state? Are they Insured?

What to consider when hiring a private investigator.
If you are considering hiring an investigation agency or private investigator for personal matters this is probably a difficult and emotional time in your life. ESI would like to suggest to the customer… consider the following suggestion, take a few things into account, ask educated questions and don’t make a hasty decision when consulting with your choices, gather basics facts and information.

Ask how long has the business been in operation? Recently, licensed private investigators will have high license numbers. For example, ESI was licensed in 1999/2000 by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services and our license number is 22176, the successive licensee numbers will go up from there. Newly licensed investigator need to rely on their work experience they used to qualify for the PI license as they are now building their investigative experience and contacts. So inquire about their work experience.

It is possible new agencies or investigators may lack respect of colleagues in their field due to gorilla marketing tactics stealing work product styles copyright and trademark infringement. Over populated listing on the web and search engines are some examples of gorilla marketing. These investigators do not go unnoticed by seasoned investigation agencies… and these types of marketing tactics may isolate a new investigator from seeking outside guidance from experts on difficult cases. If the investigation agency chooses to advertise they are required to provide their license number in that advertisement.

Is the investigator or agency licensed in your state? Each state sets its own licensee requirements and guidelines for their applicants. Almost all of the states in the United States require individuals to meet specific criteria to qualify as a licensed private investigator. However there are a few states that do not require individual to be licensed. Fortunately California has clearly defined requirements for individuals to qualify; with a minim of 6,000 hours work experience and/or P.O.S.T., certificate, past a written test monitored by a proctor whom is appointed by the state. Check the Department of Consumer Affairs DCA, web site for the requirements. -- http://www.dca.ca.gov/bsis/forms_pubs/pi_fact.shtml

The Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Securities and Investigative Services and California Association of Licensed Investigators ( CALI ) http://www.cali-pi.org/ are cracking down on “un-licensed,” individual representing themselves as investigators. These unlicensed individuals do not share the burden of economic responsibility or judicial accountability a licensed investigator possess. Subsequently, unlicensed individuals will not have Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance or general liability. Excluding civil and criminal prosecution you have limited economic recourse for their reckless acquisition of evidence. The State of California does not require a licensed private investigator to have E&O insurance, though all insurance carriers an investigator might work for will require private investigators to have a significant amount of insurance.

**Review CALI press release on Crackdown on Unlicensed Investigators**
http://www.cali-pi.org/legdocuments/Unlicensed-investigatiors-05.29.08.pdf

"The State of California does require a private investigator who carries a firearm or provides armed bodyguard services must have $1 million in insurance - $500,000 for one loss due to bodily injury or death and $500,000 for one loss due to injury or destruction of property.” Quote Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Securities and Investigative Services

Our investigative industry cycles through times of being extremely busy to extremely slow periods. Slow periods will drain the finical resources of the smaller inexperienced investigators, often making them very desperate to close a deal over the phone. Once you have surrendered your money it’s impossible to get it back if services are substandard. Ask about regular clientele; attorneys, process service, insurance carriers…etc.

The longevity and stability of any reputable agency depends on management, ethics, professionalism and work product. A professional, accurate work product brings regular contract clients. When considering an agency ask who their regular clients are, then ask for references. Contact the references.

When reviewing the investigation agency contract(s) their contracts should outline the investigation agency or investigators conduct, manor of performance and clearly define the retainer and rate fees. A few minutes of your time evaluating the past conduct and performance could save you an enormous amount of frustration, grief, not to mention the expenses lost on retainers allegedly used to investigative your matter.

Founders Background
If the agency is a general investigation agency handling a myriad of services indicating a broad scope of services, ask about the founder’s background. Does the founder have the expertise, education and experience to support such an establishment?

Since 911 everyone has been unwillingly thrust into a changing political clement. Our State and National Governments our wildly reforming legislation based on a narrow prospective, thus medicating the symptoms and not addressing the cause. In turn our investigative industry is in the throws of constant scrutiny by the media and criticized by law makers. Unfortunately, these lawmakers have turned a deaf ear to industry leaders and refuse to consult participants for their contribution. Drafting bills with prejudice and contempt; refusing guidance, creating flawed amendments that will eventually paralyze the private sectors ability to access information. Subsequently, if your agency is uninformed about the changing laws and operates in a manor of disregard to the changing legislation, seizes evidence by any means possible. Your organization or your good name could reluctantly be forced into the media spotlight followed by law enforcement and judges handing out imposed restoration. Then our law makers’ were wanting their turn on the band-wagon of reform… to promote their version of modifications. In the end the result is the same; their singular perspectives contribute to uninformed decisions and penalize professional investigation agencies. This topic alone is a minefield of tenuous interpretations and (misinterpretations) being defined by lengthy judicial conflicts.

Does the investigator or agency have employees or subcontractors? Employees that are trained by the employer can provide level standard of performance. The employer has made a commitment to train their staff and is willing to accept the responsibility for their performance. Investigation agencies providing subcontract investigators have a limited standard of performance and limited quality control, in both aspects of report writing and investigative quality of services. In this case the consumer will not know who is really conducting the investigations or that individual’s background.

Is this person you consulted doing the work? If the agency has subcontractors are they licensed and insured? Inquire about their insurance and General Liability? Again, there are professional agencies that adhere to ethical standards and provide quality subcontractors as well as professional agencies that provide quality work product by their employee. Your task as customer is to find out, if the agency has standards and do they adhere to their standards. Finally the consumer should always gather information in an effort to make an informed decision and always hold fast to the principal “CAVEAT EMPTOR,” let the buyer beware.

Article by: Lori Johnson
Director of Operations – ESI
Empire Specialized Investigations
California licensed Private Investigator 22176
Paralegal / Legal Administration
949.645.1492
http://www.esi-subrosa.com/

ESI Processional Process Server, served Dennis Rodman, again

2008-03-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

Dennis Rodman “You’ve been served, again.”

California Private Investigator and founder of Empire Specialized Investigations, acting on behalf of attorneys in California and their private clients seeking financial restitution from Dennis Rodman for a cornucopia unpaid services.

Mr. Rodman’s whereabouts had been shielded by his celebrity status; subsequently access was restricted to media personnel only. Frustrated attorneys decided to hire ESI for their specialized evasive service tactics. Attorneys soon learned this was the second time ESI had been used to track down Dennis. By this point the attorneys were pushing to get Dennis Rodman served… “no matter what.” Accordingly, ESI utilized extreme efforts to track down the elusive NBA Bad-Boy.

About 3 weeks into the hunt ESI’s staff was able to track down and confirm a scheduled personal appearance in Australia. With little time to prepare subpoenas were sent to waiting investigators. At the time of the appearance a beautiful woman/process server was waiting with papers in-hand. According to accounts Dennis appeared to be very drunk. The process server made several flirtatious gestures at Dennis. Unwittingly he waved the process server past the celebrity handlers. The server handed the papers to Dennis, before she could say anything Dennis tried to sign the back of the papers. The server responded, “No Mr. Rodman, their for you, you’re being served. Naturally, the paparazzi sized the moment and started taking pictures. Once again Dennis had lived up to his label.

Proving “you can run… but you can’t hide.” No one is out of reach of our judicial system, nor are they exempt from recourse.
`

Services ESI Provides:

- Surveillance (Infidelity/Domestic/Civil/Criminal)

- Surveillance Hidden Cameras

- Attorney Services- Background Checks

- Business Investigations

- Locate Hidden Assets

- Locate Missing Persons

- Witness Statements

- Child Custody Monitoring

- Family Risk Services

- Insurance, W/C Fraud, Subrosa, AOE/COE, subrogation

- GPS Tracking Individual/Business Vehicles

- Pre-employment Screening

- Infidelity Investigations

- Skip Tracing

~~~~

Initial CONSULT with a Calif Licensed PI, Office: 800.830.7030.

Our experience adds directly to the bottom line…“getting the right facts,” so that the evidence provided by ESI is legally and ethically obtained and stands alone in a court of law.
State of California Licensed Process Server PSC 2065
State of California License Private Investigator # 22176