LEGISLATIVE GUIDE

We need legislators to know about the problems at the LSBPIE.  Coming soon, you will be able to click here and get a punch list as to what we need you to do!

WHY WAS THIS SITE MADE?

When Representative Mert Smiley first suggested in his legislative hearing last April that he might want to combine the services of the LSBPIE under another board as a cost savings measure, many of us opposed that concept.  We recognized that there were problems but incoming Chairman John Mowell promised change and an open forum like we had never seen before.  We fell for it hook, line and sinker and the changes that were promised actually created less open communication.

CHANGE MUST COME and upon reflection, it would appear that the LSBPIE believes that they can do whatever they want, whenever they want, regardless of the rules or the law. 

COMPLAINTS WERE FILED, but we believe that the best chance for change is with the legislative session and will propose two bills, one to change the make up of this board and the other to abolish it and place its duties under the scope and authority of another governmental entity. 

KNOWLEDGE IS THE KEY

  
 


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 Because the volume of information that has been uncovered is so much, this site is an ever changing project and will be updated often.  Our initial focus was to just get live, but you will find that  documentation will be added soon.  Please check back!
  

IS THIS SITE A BULLY SITE?

What is cyber stalking and is what you read on this site considered stalking?

READ THE LAW

Cyber stalking laws do not apply to any peaceable, nonviolent, or non threatening activity intended to express political views or to provide lawful information to others.

While this site may be colorful, and is intended to express outrage, nothing contained herein threatens harm to anyone.  The authors feel as if we have been taken advantage of and we want a change in the law!

ITS ABOUT FREE SPEECH
  

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THIS SITE IS A POLITICAL COMMENTARY SITE
NO THREATS OR HARM TO ANYONE IS BEING MADE
IT IS INTENDED TO EDUCATE LEGISLATORS AS TO THE PROBLEMS THAT
WE SEE WITH THE WAY THE LSBPIE IS BEING OPERATED!

 

 

THE BOARD'S INQUEST INTO THE LPIA & DIVINE

The LPIA conducted a seminar in Baton Rouge on May 25, 2011 as a normal event to provide approved continuing education to investigators and gain members.  Steve Divine acted in his capacity of the Membership Administrator and filled in for the President, Robert Weltz who was unable to attend. 
 

Thereafter, Both the LPIA and Steve Divine received letters on about June 8th that stated that we should take notice that:  

"matters relative to non-compliance with the continuing education standards set forth by the Louisiana Private Investigator's Association ("LPIA") and Mr. Steve Divine will be taken up by the Louisiana State Board of Private Investigator Examiners at the next scheduled board meeting on July 19th, 2011 at 10:00am at the board office"

Based upon the letter of notice dated June 1,2011 that they would be discussing the issues, and the wordage above, once might believe that the LSBPIE might have considered that Divine and/or the LPIA had violated our own internal standards, but several public records requests for the nature of the complaint were not answered, citing that the matter was under investigation.

On June 13, 2011 Divine answered the notice with a letter that he would be unable to attend due to a prior commitment and that Maria Dugas, who had planned to be our of the country would be an important witness to this matter, suggesting that the date be changed to the next board meeting in September.  This letter was sent by certified mail to the board office and signed for by the office manager, Gracie Smith.

Thereafter, Divine filed a public records request for the policy on how live seminars were to be conducted and learned that there no such policy, only that the course must be approved by the board.

The LPIA also filed requests with the Board office seeking the nature of the complaint or issues and each request was met with resistance from the board office.  Jointly, we asked for clarification on the issues that were of concern to the Board office.  No such information was provided to either of us, although the Board office has regularly made it a practice to provide details to other providers when a complaint has been made.

Information that we have now advises us that during the board meeting on July 20, 2011, Pat Englade stated that this issue first came to light by an email from Training and Education Chairman in which it was her recommendation that the LSBPIE consider restricting the LPIA's authority to hold continuing education based upon these presumed issues:

  • The LPIA did not use the appropriate form according to the Board

  • The LPIA had a speaker in New Orleans that did not qualify according to the Board

  • There was a claim that an open investigation was discussed at the Baton Rouge Seminar

Its confusing that Maria Dugas would have written such an email because she had been in communication with Steve Divine and Robert Weltz often regarding CE matters both before and after the Baton Rouge Seminar and not once has she raised any issue.  In fact, the evidence below will show that she applauds and congratulates us for being in full compliance in advance of the rules coming into effect.  To be fair, we have not seen this email, but it was reported at the Board Meeting that she wrote it and that is how this all got started.

Divine did not attend the meeting based upon the aforementioned answer, and subsequently the attorneys are reported to have failed to notice the board members that a response had been filed by certified letter.  In fact, we are investigating if it is true that one of the attorney's present made a statement on the record that Divine was properly noticed and did not respond and is not here today to address these issues.  Bear in mind that we did respond and the certified green card proves it.

More so, the motion to suspend Divine was made by  Annette Kovac, who Divine had previously filed a complaint against for failing to comply with the standards of being licensed, (her corporation was revoked in 2003 and she remains on the board).  The motion was to suspend Divine until he came to Baton Rouge to respond  to the board as to the Allegations made in reference to the LPIA.   One would think that it would have been wrong for a person who has a complaint made against them to set in judgment of someone, let alone cast the motion, but that's the way it rolls sometimes. 

The issue of the complaint filed with the Governor's office is that Kovac and the other board members regularly deny applicants from being licensed when their corporation status is not in good standing with the Secretary of State's office.  In fact, the PI law so states that if the applicant is a corporation, they must be in good standing with the Secretary of State's office.  Kovacs corporation failed to remain in good standing and her authority to conduct business in the State of Louisiana under the name of her agency was revoked in 2003.  Asked what the issue is, Divine states that it just seems unfair that someone on the board is holding people to a standard that she fails to meet herself.  Obviously this is an issue for the Governors office to decide on because Board members serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

One would think that prior to acting in such a manner, that the LSBPIE would have provided notice of a potential violation and worked with people to address the issues.  However, we intend to be present at the September board meeting and ask the Board to explain themselves.

The case is a confusing one.  Basically as I understand it, one minute we are the bright ones, completely in compliance in advance of the others and the next minute, its reported that Maria Dugas recommended that the LPIA be restricted from providing CE.  By the end of the meeting, Steve Divine is suspended...and then Creative Cyber Innovations, which is not even mentioned at the Board meeting is issued a Cease and Desist.  Please see the a sampling of our documents below:

MARIA DUGAS CONGRATULATES DIVINE AND THE LPIA
It seems that the LPIA and Steve Divine set the bar on CE Conferences, with the Training and Education Chairman stating that our seminar is perhaps the best she has ever attended.

MARIA DUGAS COMMENTS ON THE NEW ORLEANS SPEAKERS
After the New Orleans Conference, Training and Education Chairman Maria Dugas applauds the speakers and the Seminar

CREATIVE CYBER INNOVATIONS PROGRAM IS APPROVED 2-27-2011
Our online program is approved.  All Courses with no mention of any failing or problem.

BATON ROUGE SEMINAR IS APPROVED
The seminar in Baton Rouge is approved...however there is some notice provided that we should look into our speakers in the future not being in compliance with the Secretary of State--(Separately, I inquire on what authority does the board have to regulate whether or not a speaker is in good standing with the Secretary of State; especially given the fact that there are Board Members who are not in good standing presently)

MARIA DUGAS THANKS STEVE DIVINE AND THE LPIA FOR COMPLYING IN ADVANCE - 5-18-2011
The LPIA and Steve Divine were the fist providers to be in full compliance of the Training and Education Rules.  This email thanks us.

MARIA DUGAS EMAIL 5-24-2011
This email is a report to the LPIA after the Baton Rouge Seminar in which she advises that she will not be at the July board meeting and advises that the only CE agenda item will be the responses to the Ethics Course. 

NOTICE TO THE LPIA AND STEVE DIVINE
This is the official notice that we received relative to the CE issues being discussed at the next board meeting.  You might note that it does not appear to be an official hearing, but they are providing us notice that they intend to discuss it.

STEVE DIVINE'S LETTER IN RESPONSE-ADVISING OF A DATE CONFLICT
It was impossible to attend the July 19, 2011 meeting and because Maria Dugas was slated to be out of town, I advised that I would make myself available on the Next Board Meeting citing that Maria Dugas was going to be a crucial witness.

AGENDA FOR THE JULY 19, 2011 LSBPIE BOARD MEETING

On July 19, 2011 the LSBPIE held what they called an informal hearing relative to continuing education issues involving Steve Divine and the LPIA.  The crux of the discussion was that the LSBPIE wanted to determine if any party had violated their rules and regulations regarding holding continuing education. 

During the course of the inquest, there were several members of  the LPIA board that made statements that Steve Divine was operating beyond their knowledge, without their approval and knowledge and that they were not aware what was happening.

Among the claims....Divine has other businesses that promotes Divine.  That Divine is involved in teaching programs that the LPIA was not aware of, That Divine worked outside the scope and outline of his contract without their approval.  Two officers of the LPIA were very vocal in providing the LSBPIE information that ultimately created a situation whereas the LSBPIE believed that Divine was directly responsible for anything and everything that happened and at the end of the day, the LSBPIE voted to suspend the online program offered by Creative Cyber Innovations even after the Attorney suggested that they may have 'due process' issues and that the online program was completely separate.

MINUTES FROM THE JULY 19, 2011 BOARD MEETING

 

CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE
JULY 19, 2011 MEETING

 

 

THE LSBPIE BOARD SITE ON JULY 22, 2011

EVIDENCE SCREEN SHOT TAKEN JULY 22, 2011

Not one person from the LSBPIE board office contacted us to advise us that we had been suspended.  No fax or call was received.  Basically, this public notice was our first indication from the Board that we had been suspended.  Then the next day, we received office notice.

CEASE AND DESIST NOTICE

OUR RESPONSE TO THE CEASE AND DESIST NOTICE JULY 22, 2011

SO THEY CHANGED IT.  THE LSBPIE WEBSITE ON JULY 24, 2011

EVIDENCE SCREEN SHOT TAKEN JULY 24, 2011

Please note, that while the Cease and Desist order names the LPIA and Steve Divine, but not Creative Cyber Innovations, they have removed the LPIA from the notice on the website now.  In the history of the LSBPIE, no other provider has ever been listed on the front page as being suspended.

OUR RESPONSE DATED JULY 24, 2011
Again, I requested that they remove our company name from the site.
 

LSBPIE TRAINING RULES
This download has the published rules and regulations regarding approval of training.  While we requested information on the policy for live seminars, replacement speakers, sign in reports from other providers that would document that they are in compliance and other information from the board, the board office has not been forthcoming with responding to public records requests.

What we did learn is that there were several classes that we on the LSBPIE course website that had never been approved, and one entity that was listed as an approved course provider had not provided the board with any documents to support their program.  In responding to that request for an explanation, the Board office shut down the listing for CE providers on their website.

HAS OUR COMPANY BEEN DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THIS SUSPENSION?
We believe the answer to this is yes.  And while we also believe that the LPIA is not at fault on any issue, more so, Steve Divine being named in that proceeding is confusing because he only served as a contractor to the LPIA and does not vote on Association matters, nor control policy.  Then, for the LPIA to be named in the cease and desist order and only Divine and his company to be listed on the LSBPIE website; its clear it's a personal attack.  Governmental boards have an obligation to regulate providers in a fair and impartial manner, enforcing the rules evenly across the platform.  It makes absolutely no sense to us that Creative Cyber Innovations is suspended when we have been complimented for being in full compliance...other than this is a political move.

At the end of the day, its wrong for someone to use their position of authority to abuse others.

BLAME IT ON DIVINE


DURING THE HEARING ON JULY 19, 2011 THERE WERE OFFICERS OF THE LPIA THAT MADE STATEMENTS TO THE BOARD IN ESSENCE TO POINT THE BLAME ON STEVE DIVINE FOR ALL MATTERS, AND CLAIMING THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA THAT DIVINE WAS DOING THE THINGS THAT HE WAS DOING.

NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH, AS EVIDENCE BY THE RECORDINGS BELOW THAT SHOW THERE WAS DISCUSSION ABOUT ALL MATTERS IN OFFICER MEETINGS.

 

 

Conference Call recorded May 17, 2010


Plans for a Super Conference are being discussed with a review of the finances from the Lafayette Conference held in April 2010.  Near the end of the recording there is a discussion on rewriting the bylaws and Divine brings up the fact that the LPIA is not currently operating within the guidelines of the bylaws.  As an example, the bylaws call for the Secretary to receive applications, and handle most of the administrative functions of the LPIA, while Divine brings up the fact that this is not being done.  THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE LATER CHARLES BRYANT WOULD SAY THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE THAT DIVINE WAS WORKING OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT.

Extensive discussion starting at 30 minutes regarding plans for a super conference with the Texas Investigator Association. 

Charles Bryant discusses the duties of the LSBPIE LPIA member at large beginning  at abut 38 minutes into the call.  Maria Dugas participated in the call and gave her thoughts.

Robert discusses the LCI program about 40 minutes into the call. 

Steve Divine is asked about the Conference details on the Lafayette conference about 41 minutes.  He handled the back end details of the conference details.  Discussion from Divine that people call him to inquire about getting jobs that have taken the course but are not currently licensed at 51 minutes.  Discussion on the bylaws regarding that.  Listening to that, you will see that Steve Fontenot suggest that we have a meeting to explore this further. 

At 54 minutes there is a discussion about the need to scan documents. Everything is scattered around. 

At 55 minutes, there is a discussion as to who is supposed to be in charge of the records, and Divine brings up the fact that things are not being done according to the bylaws.



 
Conference Call recorded August 23, 2010

An issue has developed regarding Jim Brown appearing as a guest speaker at the Super Conference planned in October 2010 and the meeting is being called to re-think this decision.  Divine is asked to explain what has happened and he explains that there is an ongoing problem in working with the LSBPIE based upon a public records request that was filed to obtain the database.  Discussion is held among the officers that the LSBPIE should not dictate the actions of the LPIA, even as Divine suggests that while it was his idea, perhaps we need to rethink the strategy in the best interest of the LPIA.  Later Bryant and others would claim that they were not aware of what was happening, but this tape shows otherwise.

 
Conference Call recorded November 4, 2010

This meeting was called to discuss the data that was obtained from public records requests relative to how the LPIA could decide when and where to have seminars based upon when people renewed.   Robert Weltz asks Divine to share with the LPIA board his findings and there is a long discussion on the seminar planning.  At about 34 minutes into the meeting, Divine explains how he obtained the data through the public records request and then used that data to determine when is the best time to hold conferences.

At about the 46 minute part, Divine explains the new training rules to suggest to the officers that we need to book seminars as quick as possible.  At 50 minutes Divine tells the officers that the Regional Directors need to take a pro-active approach toward the networking concept of live seminars.  At 55 minutes Divine explains his role as a "Back End" role and suggests that people need to be involved besides him. 

Ed Roy states at 56 that Jim Brown did an excellent job as a speaker in New Orleans.  Ed Roy points out that he is trying to get his DNA company working and would like to promote his DNA services at the conferences.

At 1:00 hour, Divine states that we are judged on our Speakers and the presentation must be involved in a topic that can be considered Continuing Education.

 

 

 

AND THERE IS MORE FOR LATER
 WOULD YOU HIRE AN INVESTIGATOR THAT LIES?
 

THE MURRAY CONTRACT
 

Much has been said about Robert Weltz entering into a contract between Divine and Jack Murray for the LPIA to become involved in online training, and there have been officers that have stated on the record that this was done entirely behind their backs, and certainly without their knowledge.  I say that's not true.  Let's look at it.

Sometime in early July, 2010 Jack Murray contacted Buddy Bombet about entering into a deal with the LPIA to host his online courses.  Bombet referred him to Robert Weltz and we entered into a discussion to determine what his proposal would be.  I was involved because I provided the web services to the LPIA.  After learning what Murray had in mind, Robert Weltz instructs Divine to set up a conference call.

THIS INVITATION IS SENT TO ALL OFFICERS

OUTLINE OF THE PROPOSAL WAS SENT TO ALL OFFICERS

CONFERENCE REPORT FOR WHO CALLED IN

Unfortunately, I did not purchase a conference recording but the jest of the meeting as I have in my notes is that the officers were happy to discuss this, considered what it would cost the LPIA, as well as how much profit would be made if any and they approved Robert Weltz to approach Jack Murray and cut the best deal possible, hoping to get him to take less than the 60% he wanted so that the LPIA could make more.

My notes show the following people were involved in the call:
Robert Weltz, Steve Divine, Harrry Fields, Lindsey Benglis, Paul Dugas and Steven Fontenot

LATER OFFICERS WOULD SAY THEY HAD NOT KNOWLEDGE OF THIS.   YOU DECIDE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MUCH MORE COMING SOON!

CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME



 

THIS SITE IS AN OPINION SITE AND IS NOT CONNECTED WITH THE LOUISIANA STATE BOARD OF PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR EXAMINERS IN ANY WAY.  FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS APPLY!