Spent several years as a criminal investigator for the state department of revenue, specialized in forgery and fraud. Almost without exception, those who commit frauds and embezzlements are arrogant and believe they are so smart they can lie their way out of anything (probably worked with their mothers and school teachers). Very seldom did I have a suspect smart enough to shut up and retain an attorney, even when facing multiple felonies.
My favorite interviewing technique was simply allowing the suspect to speak freely as long as they wanted to. Then I would point out discrepancies with the statements of others and documentation on hand, and explain that they would have to come up with another story because I knew that they weren't telling the truth. Almost always the bozos would then give another completely different story! Bingo, motive & opportunity combined with two different stories equals probable cause and usually a guilty verdict (more commonly a plea bargain, of course).
Worked a side gig for a couple of years as director of security for a major hotel and conference center, very high dollar place. One of the events was a convention of Star Trek fans. About 1500 Trekkies wandering around in costume for 3 days, all making believe that it was the most important thing in their lives. Impossible to keep a straight face.
After retiring from law enforcement I hooked up with a couple of major property insurance companies. Consulted on claims and ran the claim investigations. Once again, lots of people with straight faces and impossible stories. Usually, once I had pointed out the discrepancies (and outright departures from the truth), and offered the choice of dropping the claim or being referred for prosecution the bozos quickly signed the documents to release the insurance company.
I'd probably still be doing the insurance gig, but by 2007 the bottom was falling out of the economy and the insurance companies were cutting expenses everywhere possible, which naturally included consulting investigators and travel expenses involved.
Was looking for ways to supplement my income, replace the lost business income, so I started offering my holsters on-line in hopes of picking up enough income to keep the utilities paid. Within 6 months the website was running and I was working 7 days per week to keep up with demand. After about 8-1/2 years without a day off, weekend, or vacation (other than 2 hospital stays and an occasional funeral to attend) I decided I was ready to retire. Announced my retirement in 2015 and stopped taking new orders. Then along came the Fedders family with an offer to purchase Lobo Gun Leather and keep it going with my designs and production methods. Bought the retirement home, then in 2018 I actually started drawing on my retirement funds for the first time.
A long grind, but a little fun along the way.
