The client knows what results are desired, but not necessarily the proper steps to achieve them. In one case worked by ResultQuest investigators, a surveillance of an individual residing in a small community southwest of Houston was requested. The goal was to…

The most important decisions when conducting a witness interview are whether or not to record the conversation, and if you should notify the witness when a recording is being made. In Texas (and 38 other states), as long as you are a party to the conversation, it is…

Our culture seems to be trapped in an upward spiral of crime and violence in which innocent life has no meaning to the perpetrators. Robberies and disputes are routinely resulting in murder. Accounts of disgruntled, disturbed individuals acting out in misdirected…

In this Internet age there is a wealth of online investigative sources that can prove helpful to a legal case. The majority of law firms employ support staff that routinely develops information from these sources that is used in connection with a given case. This is…

As Christmas break approaches, many families are taking that final opportunity to escape the pressure of everyday life, and make happy memories in a relaxing environment with loved ones. Taking some sensible steps can help you avoid being victimized by criminals. The…

Careful preparation is always the best way to ensure a good result when interviewing witnesses. However, situations often dictate a “cold interview” in which no advance preparation is possible. In such instances, the ability to think on one’s feet can make the…

The classic Marty Robbins ballad “Big Iron” tells of a lawman’s pursuit and conquest of a ruthless murderer using the “big iron on his hip.” Americans have long romanticized large pistols in film and literature. Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty Harry” famously relied upon his…

You want success when you hire an investigative firm. However, more fundamentally, you want the work done with a high level of professionalism and a critical eye, with limited liability. To achieve this, you need to know the following: Licensing Is the firm licensed…

Many a business is built upon the foundation of trusted employees interacting closely with suppliers and valuable clients. When employees and their major clients leave at the same time, it can have a crippling effect. In one such matter worked by the team at…

A number of times over the years, ResultQuest and their professional associates have received requests from individuals desiring information that could not be acquired through legal means. In the vast majority of instances, the requestor was simply not aware of the…

We originally wrote on this subject in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, a large percentage of the workforce was working from home. Many companies adapted to the environment of lockdowns, restrictions, and health concerns by providing remote access to…

As ResultQuest begins its 36th year of continual operations, I wanted to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to you for providing us the privilege of serving your investigative needs. I am grateful for you and your trust in our firm. As always, we will…

There is an old carpenter’s saying, “Measure twice, cut once,” referring to the need to plan properly before executing a task. This adage especially applies in surveillance operations. Proactive planning can mean the difference between success and failure. ResultQuest…

It is commonplace for investigative firms to utilize a diverse assortment of resources to obtain information that is not available to the general public. Such information might be derived from human sources or electronic databases, and can be the product of years of…

As Christmas break approaches, many families are taking that final opportunity to escape the pressure of everyday life, and make happy memories in a relaxing environment with loved ones. Taking some sensible steps can help you avoid being victimized by criminals. The…

Investigations in support of legal disputes can be quite costly, especially when there is a need for intensive surveillance operations in order to gather essential evidence. Unfortunately, such a requirement can also be an opportunity for unscrupulous individuals to…

The decision to hire a private investigator is often made in conjunction with contentious litigation in which the investigator’s work product is likely to fall under scrutiny by the opposition. The investigation results are important; however, the credentials of…

As people reach their later years, they often begin to contemplate ways they might make a difference – to leave the world a better place. Many will start sending money to charitable organizations that support causes with which they feel an affinity. In doing so, they…

Most states require that persons conducting investigations in the private sector be licensed by a governing body. In Texas, the Regulatory Services Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety licenses private investigators. Essentially, the requirements for…

The polygraph, or lie detector, once a staple of financial loss probes, has been extensively constricted from use as an investigative tool for private sector employers. The Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) of 1988 greatly limits the scenarios in which…

It often seems that company loyalty has gone the way of the cassette tape. Businesses are increasingly being put at risk by employees who conspire with former co-workers to siphon out information or intellectual property to market to competitors or others with profit…

The investigators of ResultQuest were recently retained by an employment law firm representing a large family-owned business with regional offices nationwide. One of the firm’s longtime regional managers, who was married to a daughter of the founder, had…

Our investigators were called in to assist the general counsel of a major oilfield services company that had purchased an established construction company. The oilfield services company opted to keep the construction company’s’ founder on a multi-year contract to…

By John Beard; CPA, CFE Wouldn’t it be nice to have a crystal ball or to be clairvoyant in forecasting potential business issues such as internal fraud? Unfortunately, the vast majority of us are not psychic and instead have to rely on an investigative function to…

Horror stories abound about smooth-talking con men talking people out of their money. To pick up the newspaper is to be practically assured of reading about another account. Often, the swindler can fool smart, accomplished people into going along with some scheme…

The media is filled with accounts of fraud artists who wreak havoc on unsuspecting victims, only to move on and take up in another place, then engage in a repeat performance. Chronic perpetrators of fraud usually leave a trail of evidence of illicit behavior in their…

The rising cost of living has led countless industrious individuals to take jobs or start companies on the side in order to make ends meet. This is the way that many successful companies have gotten their start. It is also one of the hallmarks of our great free…

One of the most unfortunate wastes of fraud investigation resources is conducting surveillance at the wrong location. Often such waste can be attributed to a failure to conduct the proper advance research to verify a subject’s residential whereabouts. People move and…

Criminal background checks, long a means of screening potential employees for patterns of illegal behavior, are increasingly coming under restriction by governing bodies. This particularly applies to crimes that do not constitute moral turpitude. This is especially…

Conducting surveillance is a juggling act between balancing the desire to obtain the client’s desired result with the risk of pressing the coverage in a way that might be construed as harassment – or even stalking. Knowing the legal limits and when to say when is an…

Over the years we have seen many cases in which a client sues and is awarded a judgment in response to some tortious act, only to have the defendant seek protection in bankruptcy court. It is not uncommon for judgment debtors to further attempt to hide assets from the…

Summer vacation season is here. The long needed and anticipated break from the daily grind is about to materialize. As you begin to compile your list of items to pack, take a moment to also make a list of things to leave behind. Specifically, consider things to make…

These days, the investigative process is prone to become bogged down in data. The wide array of systems and sources that supply information about companies and individuals frequently throw out volumes of chaff. Thus, separating out the kernels of wheat among the…

The unmanned aerial system (UAS) – commonly known as a drone – is becoming more common in investigations. Many police departments now deploy special squads that utilize the UAS for a variety of law enforcement purposes. Private investigators also commonly…

Sam Castorani, our director of security operations, taps his Italian roots to share a recipe from his Delaware family cookbook for a delectable stew that will help warm you during this transition from winter to springtime. Buon Appetito!

Most companies with effective audit controls and policies have some degree of prohibition against the awarding of jobs and contracts to close friends, relatives, and business partners of employees. This helps the company avoid the perception of favoritism and prevents…

Many a business is built upon the foundation of trusted employees interacting closely with suppliers and valuable clients. When employees and their major clients leave at the same time, it can have a crippling effect. In one such matter worked by the team at…

Imagine a scenario in which one of your valued employees, located in a state where recreational marijuana use is illegal, suddenly tests positive for tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC – the intoxicant of marijuana, following a routine urinalysis conducted in…

For several years, a Houston corporate client had used ResultQuest to conduct extensive pre-employment background investigations of job candidates. However, they opted not to perform a background regarding an individual who was hired as general counsel then eventually…

One of the easiest and most common ways for a fraudster to come away with ill-gotten gains at the expense of the employer or contractor is through expense reports. Policies regarding the detail in which expenses must be submitted for reimbursement vary widely, and…

Companies often make substantial investments in assets such as machinery and equipment. Improper asset control procedures and policies can lead to misuse, abuse, and theft of these valuable assets. The professionals of ResultQuest have repeatedly been called on for…

A Texas labor law firm employed ResultQuest to investigate a group of highly trusted and compensated experts in their specialized technical field. After suddenly severing their employment with a trading firm, a resultant IT audit revealed that one member of the group…

In today’s litigious environment, if an investigation goes awry or becomes discovered by the target of a probe, there is a good chance that legal action will follow. Investigators with inadequate insurance coverage could find themselves – and their client – facing the…

ResultQuest was recently contacted by a CEO client who requested assistance in determining the source of a spoofed email in which he directed his corporate accounts payable clerk to wire money to a certain account to pay a vendor. Of course, the email was bogus, but…

Witness testimony can be a powerful component of the decision-making process of businesses. Many issues are identified and resolved based on information supplied by witnesses. However, it is critical that the witness and the information be adequately scrutinized…

Attorneys who retain investigators to assist with their evidentiary needs should be mindful that, in doing so, they could jeopardize their reputation and standing in the event of an ethical lapse. One of the most problematic ethical violations by investigators is…

Numerous times over the years, ResultQuest has been called in to investigate suspected fraud on the part of an employee. In the vast majority of instances, our analysis has revealed glaring signs of newly acquired wealth that went beyond what the employee’s salary…

Among the most pronounced threats to an internal company investigation is workplace gossip. Disclosing details of an investigative project to the person under scrutiny can have a range of consequences—none of which are good. In a matter handled by ResultQuest, the…

A number of times over the years, the investigators of ResultQuest have been called in to scrutinize the activities of executives who were part of the founding group of a business. Sadly, in almost every case, fraudulent activity was uncovered—usually determined to…

Among the most useful of tools in the investigator’s box is the ability to extract useable information by means of a telephone call made under a suitably planned pretext. Years ago, such a technique could be employed readily and with little risk of adverse…

First came the email. People were able to discuss any viewpoints, hoping and trusting that the recipient would not betray their confidence. Next came the text message. Once again, professions of beliefs and opinions were usually protected from mass consumption – to…

Key employees can be a tremendous asset to an organization. However, when such personnel feel as though they have been unfairly treated—right or wrong—they can be ripe for recruitment by competitors. Members of specialized technical fields often consist of small…

The tumultuous events of the past few months have forced many companies to allow and enable employees to work from home, in order to minimize the risk of infection from COVID-19. Such arrangements, where there is little or no direct observation, can invite fraud by…

Throughout the years, ResultQuest has been involved in numerous investigations in which client competitors purloined valuable information assets. In most cases, the thefts were made possible by a security breach or oversight, often exploited by a disgruntled or…

As the summer lingers on, I often seek relief in the form of a cool refreshment I discovered in Mexico decades ago in the form of Agua Fresca de Sandía or watermelon water. Over the years I have tweaked a recipe received from an amiga who frequently prepared this…

Owners and top executives are often handsomely compensated for their efforts. Many times this is the result of countless hours of night and weekend work that is unseen by the rank and file. In such an instance, it is only natural that one might feel justified to…

The general counsel for a regional insurer contacted the offices of ResultQuest and requested surveillance over the course of two days. The surveillance would be targeted at a man who had been injured on the job years earlier and was receiving payments for full and…

As you and I continue to work our way through this most trying of times, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and yours. I hope you are all safe and healthy. Our hearts are with those who have contracted the virus, and our deepest sympathies go to those who have lost…

There is an old carpenter’s saying, “Measure twice, cut once,” referring to the need to plan properly before executing a task. This adage especially applies in surveillance operations. Proactive planning can mean the difference between success and failure….

Over the past thirty years, ResultQuest investigators have regularly uncovered unsettling information about employees of client companies that developed well into their employment, often years – or even decades – after they were hired. Many had cleared…

Every investigator begins a case with the goal of reaching an outcome that supports the client’s objective. However, preconceived judgments can skew the investigator’s outlook, can impact yours or your client’s credibility, and may create irreparable damage. Several…

Careful preparation is always the best way to ensure a good result when interviewing witnesses. However, situations often dictate a “cold interview” in which no advance preparation is possible. In such instances, the ability to think on one’s feet can make the…

It often seems that company loyalty has gone the way of the cassette tape. Businesses are increasingly being put at risk by employees who conspire with former co-workers to siphon out information or intellectual property to market to competitors or others with profit…

In this age of relativism, it seems that the old mores of society are increasingly being cast aside in favor of a nonjudgmental environment in which people are viewed as not wholly responsible for their actions. Outside influences and factors are continually blamed…

The sales force is the lifeblood of a corporation. A capable sales representative acquires new customers and keeps established ones coming back. However, when a sales rep sells out and begins the double-dealing act of secretly selling for the competition, the…

Our investigators were called in to assist the general counsel of a major oilfield services company that had purchased an established construction company. The oilfield services company opted to keep the construction company’s’ founder on a multi-year contract to…

There are times when most businesses face the prospect of terminating a disloyal employee. The reasons can run the gamut, but when the moment for dismissal comes, it is essential to be deliberate and prepared. Here are some steps you can take to help the process go…

A seasoned investigator should develop the discipline to avoid actions that needlessly expose your operation to risk of detection. Typically, following the subject away from their home best reveals activities that are of interest to the client. However, situations…

It has been said that one of the most crucial skills an investigator can possess is a methodical attention to detail during surveillance operations. A former FBI agent, who spent many years conducting surveillance on Soviet spies once remarked, “Anything worth…

As our population ages, a growing percentage of Americans are entering retirement. Many have devoted years of hard work and investment toward establishing a nest egg with which to enjoy the twilight of life. Sadly, the assets of elderly retirees are frequently…

The United States, and particularly Texas, has an affinity for guns. According to a number of estimates, there are about 15 million holders of concealed handgun licenses in our nation, with Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania each having issued more than 1 million…

On November 30, 2018, Houston lost one of its greatest backers- and one of its finest citizens. George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st President of the United States, died just seven months following the passing of his beloved wife and inseparable partner, Barbara. The…

By Richard A. Edwards The Customs -Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program is an often overlooked but potentially vital tool for companies engaged in international trade. Through this program, US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) works with the trade…

By Jim Binford Tragedy. None of us are ever very far from it. As professional investigators, we are sometimes asked, both personally and professionally, about how to obtain official information from local, state, or federal investigations. Too often these requests…