True Lies

"Come on buddy, the truth shall set you free."

As some of you may know I'm a criminal investigator. Just the facts, ma'am. I investigate the act of "contracting without a license" which on it's face seems like no big deal. (don't ask KM about this) Standing alone & with no prior convictions for the same offense, it's a simple misdemeanor. However, after almost five years of doing this I've found that more often than not, other, more serious crimes occur while the desperado is in the process of committing this heinous act. (not to mention substandard workmanship) Obtaining money under false pretenses, a felony if the amount obtained is over $250, is usually included in the act. The bad guy is a con-artist. What I've also found is the willingness and ease for me to be lied to. My personal drive is to then find the truth, and be able to prove it.

I have a sick sense of humor and accomplishment when I catch them in these lies. I sometimes use an "in your face, nya nyaa nyaaa, nyaaa - caught you" confrontation. Sometimes when this occurs, I get a verbal statement (re justae - Latin term for blurting out a response) of admittance from them. It's something like a lie-detector, but without the fancy equipment. I don't need no stinking equipment! Backed into a corner, guilt and their attempt at justification prods them to talk, but will not work on everyone, unfortunately. I've had some who are wise to the courts, hardened and too evil to admit anything, even when the facts are placed in front of them. Amazing. My satisfaction then, is filing the case with the D/A ensuring my affidavit is complete, and accurate with all the facts.

On a normal work day, I can interview both licensed and unlicensed contractors. Unlicensed contractors don't hold the record for most lies. Just recently, I've had licensed contractors give me a forged insurance certificate, phony employee records, an altered invoice and even a bid from a subcontractor who didn't do the work.

Another interesting player in my job is the homeowner. They lie to me too, just less frequently. They don't always do it intentionally, but because of greed, they are thinking they are not paying a higher priced licensed contractor, they often omit facts, state the guy is a friend or claim a lack of documents, job proposals, invoices, checks, etc. I had a similar homeowner this week, on Wednesday anyway. By today (Friday) his attitude changed and is more than willing to help. I pointed out the obvious to him: an unlicensed vinyl fence material supplier (not even a business license) had accepted a $17,000 check for a $25,000 block wall installation; a job with five separate trades involved. Two unskilled day-laborers on site. No permit for the job.

I got involved when the cement supply company asked for help when they didn't get their payment for cement delivery. (The "contractor" was suppose to have paid.) Also, the homeowner didn't want a lien placed on his home by the cement company. I called the unlicensed guy and confronted him with the facts that included his proposal via emails to the homeowner touting his quality and all he could do for the price. I was good-cop-bad-cop all in one with him on the phone. Initially, I only had his first name only. Before I hung up the phone, I had his full name, birth date, home address and a scared promise to meet with me for follow-up criminal charges to be determined next week. He wants all this to "go away." It will. :)

"Press hard, five copies." (he gets the pink copy with his court appearance information)

There's no real point to this, other than DOES EVERYONE LIE? Maybe it shoulda been an essay?