FRAUD: Investigations Without a License

January 13, 2011
Hosted by Francie Koehler, CPI, CCDI

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Episode Description

A license is required in California and in most states for an individual to operate as a private investigator. A license is earned by meeting the requirements set forth by the applicable licensing law. It cannot be transferred, purchased or sold without meeting criteria set forth by the state regulatory agency. At a minimum, any person who is hired by another to investigate the identity, habits, conduct, business, occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, knowledge, trustworthiness, efficiency, loyalty, activity, movement, whereabouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, acts, reputation, or character of any person is required to have a license. Deputy Bureau Chief, California Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Security and Investigative Services, Connie Trujillo and Private Investigators Justin Hodson and Lori Johnson will discuss this topic along with two specific high profile cases involving unlicensed activity.

PI’s Declassified!

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PI’s Declassified! lets you listen in as authentic private investigators discuss their real-life cases.

Every week, private detectives spill the beans, -- discussing investigator specialties that you wouldn’t even imagine exist!

You’ll hear stories about lies and false confessions… tracking down missing persons… forensics… workplace violence… innocent people freed from prison… human trafficking… and other tantalizing cases.

Tune in to PI’s Declassified! every Thursday at 9 AM Pacific Time on the VoiceAmerica Variety Channel.

Francie Koehler, CPI, CCDI

Francie Koehler’s career as a licensed private investigator includes cases that have sparked media projects. "Unsolved Mysteries" portrayed one of her missing person cases. British author Val McDermid featured her capital case in "A Suitable Job for A Woman" and true crime writer Ann Rule chronicled a case she investigated involving a missing nightclub owner entitled "In The Name Of Love." Francie drew on her investigative and retail experience to create the 3-part video, "Loss Prevention - The Big Picture." International results included an invitation to Moscow, where she spoke to Russian nationals interested in privatization. Francie is the former two-term president of both the National Council of Investigation & Security Services (NCISS) and the California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI). Awarded by each organization for her work, she serves as Legislative Chair for both and regularly testifies before the California State Legislature regarding bills of concern to PI’s. Francie has been recognized by her state regulatory agency for outstanding service to her profession. In addition, she holds memberships in the Council for International Investigators, National Association of Legal Investigators, World Association of Detectives, and California Attorneys for Criminal Justice. Francie also works with the Innocence Project and holds certifications as a Conflict Mediator, Legal Investigator, Professional Investigator and Criminal Defense Investigator.

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