Did you ever have a private conversation with someone only to have another person, who was not part of the meeting, reference information that you thought was confidential?
Did you ever want to tape a conversation but didn’t want the other person to know?
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These scenarios may seem like the basis of a Hollywood motion picture but they are real-life occurrences for Vic Pichette, owner of Genesis Investigations & Security Services in North Kingstown.
Pichette offers “bug” and wiretap sweeping; sells a variety of cameras that can be hidden in ties, sunglasses, pens, watches or even a teddy bear (with a camera lens only as big as a pinhole); and serves as a security consultant for businesses. He has 18 years of experience as a licensed private investigator to vouch for his work.
“There are many reasons why people would want to [tape] their phone [conversations – to report] blackmail and threats, for sales or interviewing purposes or if people feel they need the information for a lawsuit,” said Pichette.
In Rhode Island, only one person’s consent – the person with the device – is sufficient to tape a conversation. It is, however, illegal to record a conversation as a third party not involved in the discussion.
Pichette recently launched a Web site, rispy.com to sell his products. A new storefront is planned for the Providence area by the summer. He once operated a spy store in Warwick that closed about seven years ago.
The business dates back to 1987 as a private investigating firm. Technological innovation led to more state-of-the-art gadgets to keep businesses and individuals safe.
“We stalk the stalker,” he said.
In one case, a client had separated from her boyfriend. She then obtained a restraining order against him. For six months, the boyfriend went to the woman’s house, violating the restraining order, but left no substantial evidence that could lead to an arrest.
Pichette installed a covert camera disguised in a motion detector outside the home. Within a day, the woman had video evidence that led to an arrest. It cost about $300 to install the camera.
In another case, it took Pichette only three days to track down a child nearly 2,000 miles away in Texas. The child had been abducted by a client’s estranged wife.
“Investigating is like putting a puzzle together,” he said.
Pichette charges an hourly rate of $85 an hour or arranges a flat daily rate for longer-term projects.
Technology has enhanced the ability of the investigator to discretely obtain critical evidence, he said. As recently as five years ago, Pichette could only file a written report when investigating a case. Now he can attach a secret camera to his clothing to provide irrefutable video evidence.
A computer spy program he sells, called E-blaster, either can save the actions of a person on a computer directly to a system’s hard drive or can e-mail the information – unbeknownst to the user. It is a useful tool to monitor a computer-savvy teen’s activities on the Internet, said Pichette.
During the early years of the business, the requests focused on divorce and domestic cases – but that changed about 10 years ago when the state adopted no-fault divorce laws, which led to a 50/50 split of assets. As a result, the need to investigate affairs is more for peace of mind of the client, he said. Pichette is still active in uncovering unreported assets from the “breadwinner” in the relationship to ensure a fair split.
The industry is now more focused on investigating personal injury, criminal and workers’ compensation cases where abuse can be very costly for employers, said Pichette.
“[The need for surveillance] comes down to money,” he said. “Video surveillance is the only medium that actually catches a person.”
Video cameras are important for nightclubs, bars, retail outlets, hotels and restaurants because they can protect assets, employers and customers, he said.
In order to work as a private investigator, a person must be licensed – a distinction that only comes after five years of experience. In Rhode Island, investigators must have their licenses renewed each year by the town council in the place they live, a system that Pichette says needs a major overhaul and should be overseen – like other places – by a state entity.
Pichette sees a future with more video cameras for two reasons: They are effective and because police cannot be everywhere, he said.
Additionally, a recent admission by the Bush administration of domestic spying is strictly a public safety concern, he said.
“We seem to be more concerned about civil liberties than protecting ourselves,” said Pichette.
