Reflecting on 33 Years as a Private Eye

33 years as a Private Eye have gone by in a flash! As my 32nd year in business passed quickly, I found myself reflecting on how I got here, where I came from, and where I am going in this never-dull career.

Early Days: Starting Out as a Private Eye

Starting out as a street surveillance investigator, I embarked on this journey after a brief stint in the military and law enforcement. I found myself working the streets of Miami during the “Crack cocaine era,” a dangerous time in South Florida. Adaptability became my ally as I blended in, revising creative ways to gather the evidence clients needed to resolve their claims successfully. My focus was primarily on work comp and auto liability matters.

The Key to Success: Investigation

I quickly discovered that investigation was the key to effective surveillance efforts. This principle remains with me to this day and forms the foundation of our company. We are not merely another surveillance vendor; we are an investigative vendor first! Preparation, collaboration, and results are the cornerstones that lead to many satisfied clients.

Expanding Horizons: Moving Back to Boston

After the birth of our son, we decided to move back to Boston, where our family was located. Over the next 12 years, I crisscrossed the country, visiting each state, becoming incorporated, taking various states’ licensing board exams, and hiring employees throughout the US. Subsequently, I spent many years flying to corporate headquarters, meeting new clients, many of whom we continue to work with today.

Cracking the Uncrackable Cases

I consistently sought the opportunity to crack cases that no one else could. These successes opened doors with some of the biggest companies in the US. Each case required a different perspective, but the methodology remained consistent: be creative, investigate thoroughly, leave no stone unturned, and never leave money on the table without going all out!

National Case: The Breakthrough

The journey on the initial national case began with an investment banker from the Midwest. His case file was thick, detailing total disability, though the medical reports had inconsistencies. Numerous private investigators had tried to unravel the mystery, but it was our turn.

The Key Discovery: Family Activities

After extensive review and analysis, I shifted focus to his family’s activities. Despite finding no directly relevant leads, I discovered that he had two minor sons involved in racing mini-Formula Cars. This provided the breakthrough needed. We located the next event, verified the plaintiff’s trailer, and confirmed the presence of racing cars at a storage facility.

Following the Trail: Investigative Surveillance

When he left the day before the race, the pursuit began. Across several states, we followed the trail with the trailer in tow. Over the next few days, he operated as the pit crew, doing everything he had previously denied under oath. Hours of footage captured his actions, sweeping millions of dollars off the settlement table. This was investigative surveillance at its finest, propelling us onto the national stage!

Adapting to Change: Embracing Remote Work

Many years, many more similar success stories, and the expansion continued. Then came Covid. We embraced remote work, which meant an even larger talent pool for in-house investigators. As an empty nester, our children were grown, and we returned to South Florida, settling in Naples.

Continuing the Mission: Nationwide Services

I found myself working remotely for Fortune 100 companies nationwide. The biggest law firms in the country sought our services, recommended by the Legal departments of our Fortune 100 clients. Despite being just a street guy, my invaluable experience and sticking to our core principles made all the difference.

Passion for the Profession: Looking Ahead

I love what I do and am passionate about it, just like our talented field and in-house team, many of whom have been here for over 20 years. Despite 33 years going by in a flash, we are still finding new and creative ways to get the mission accomplished for our longtime loyal clients. Here’s to many more exciting years to come!

Ready to experience top-notch investigative services? Contact Claims Bureau today to uncover the truth with our experienced team of private eyes!