Providing Vital Information
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Robert Gardner and Associates LLC

Every business faces risks.  Will we get paid.  What is my competitor planning. Should we accept this new client.  Can this distributor handle our pipeline.  Do we hire that candidate.  Accept their offer.  Make a deal.  And then there are the risks not anticipated.  Trust abused.  Someone’s taking kickbacks.  Dipping into the till.  There will be lawsuits; is there a potential in recovery.  We believe you can manage risks and react to unforeseen circumstances through information, especially information available in the public domain. 

With expertise gained from conducting, managing and supervising over 1,000 research assignments, we help businesses and individuals prosper in today's uncertainties.   Using public records, online databases, social media, and other sources of legitimate inquiry, Robert Gardner and Associates verify credentials, discover lawsuits, make connections between parties, and dig into the history of various players.  Drawing on nearly thirty years of research experience, our team knows what records are needed, where to find them, and how to draw them together to produce actionable intelligence.  We assist litigators, dealmakers, and debt holders. Our work has identified concealed relationships with organized crime, prior frauds committed, and evidence of money laundering.  In more routine matters, there has been material litigation, regulatory actions, tax liens and judgments, undisclosed related business interests and secured transactions. 

Because of our small footprint, we are not wedded to the "big job", just as comfortable doing an hour's worth of work if necessary, nor are we burdened by hierarchies, conflict checks and sign-offs.  We jump immediately to your project.  We are the secret weapon of law firms, consultants and elite private investigators.  For nearly 30 years, we have been providing vital information to manage risks and react to unforeseen events.

 

 

Manage Risks and React to Unforeseen Events

  • Verify credentials – expert witnesses, key hires

  • Transaction due diligence to support merger and acquisitions and the extension of financing

  • Client acceptance - research and programs

  • Pre-employment screening - systems enhancements, audits

  • Training - investigative techniques, search strategies, public records, Internet

  • Pre-litigation assessment of potential defendants

  • Enforcement of judgments and arbitration awards

  • Obtain relevant publications and articles

  • Social media monitoring and analysis

  • Find business affiliations, determine undisclosed related parties

  • Locate individuals

  • Pierce corporate veils

  • Market intelligence

  • Review litigation case files, real property documents, and other public records

 
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Robert Gardner

When Robert Gardner took an analyst position at a leading accounting and consulting firm, searches were done over phone lines and public records needed weeks to track down and reel in.  From a foundation in legal education and graduate work in organized crime, Robert grew up as a researcher with advent of the Internet and the explosion of online sources. He established an expertise in providing vital information, creating and leading a business investigations practice for the firm. Rob and his team took over when the audit paper trail ended.

Since 1999, Robert has operated his own practice.  He assists companies and their professionals manage risks and react to unforeseen events by assessing reputations and finding undisclosed information.  Active in all aspects of business research including due diligence, litigation support, fraud investigations, asset searching, and competitive intelligence.  He has made inquiries in nearly every part of the world.  Well versed in a variety of data collection methods, especially online and Internet searching.  Also, gone onsite to resolve a variety of intricate requests.  Transformed public record findings into reports, charts, schedules, timelines, and databases  He often acts in situations where information needs are acute.  He cements the best strategies and then quickly executes the research.  He works with clients in several areas:

  • Risk Management – Whether vetting a potential deal partner or learning about doing business in a new market, acquire information to act. Cases range from document retrieval to extensive dossiers. Moreover, provide information to enable businesses to react to a variety of potential threats.

  • Hidden business affiliations – Many engagements involve learning the true principals of a business, the source of money behind a deal or identifying hidden affiliations.

  • Fraudulent Conduct – Directly and indirectly investigate fraud by employees and management. These cases extend from the simplest embezzlements to the most complex financial statement frauds.

  • Investigation and Claim’s Methodologies and Techniques – Reviewed files for the administrator of insurance claims to assess the effectiveness of their investigations. Developed a course on advanced forensic techniques.

  • Due Diligence Programs – Effectively apply public record research to typical business problems and develop solutions including client acceptance, pre-employment screening, and vendor selection programs.

Long recognized as a leader in business research. Robert has presented on searching and public records to accountants, insurance investigators, competitive intelligence professionals and other groups.  He has published several articles, including developing a course for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.