Join hosts Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden on The Dirty Verdict podcast as they dive into the gritty world of private investigation with special guests Scott Cervenka and Todd Fibich from Delta Intel. In this engaging episode, the team explores how private investigators play a pivotal role in legal cases, from tracking down elusive witnesses to uncovering critical evidence that can make or break a case. With decades of law enforcement experience, Scott and Todd share captivating stories, insider tips, and the cutting-edge techniques they use to assist attorneys in civil, criminal, and family law matters. Whether you’re a lawyer looking to sharpen your case strategy or simply curious about the investigative process, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of PI work.

Show Highlights:

• Law Enforcement Roots: Scott Cervenka discusses his transition from HPD’s Major Offenders Division and FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force to founding Delta Intel, while Todd Fibich shares his journey from Bellaire and League City Police Departments to private investigation.
• Art Heist Recovery: Scott recounts a seven-month investigation to recover stolen artwork, revealing how informants and persistence led to finding million-dollar paintings in an unlikely Houston home.
• High-Stakes Stakeout: Todd details a harrowing 2021 ambush by a gunman in League City, earning him the Police Combat Cross for neutralizing the threat with accurate return fire.
• Surveillance Success: Todd shares a recent case where surveillance footage of an 18-wheeler disproved a company’s claims, leading to a swift settlement after trial testimony.
• Mold Cover-Up Exposed: Scott describes a case where an Instagram post led to uncovering a cover-up of mold in an apartment, securing key witnesses for a plaintiff’s attorney.
• Tech-Savvy Investigations: The guests reveal how they leverage social media, deep web searches, and location data to track witnesses and verify testimony.

Topics Discussed:

• The role of private investigators in legal cases, including locating hard-to-find individuals, conducting surveillance, and gathering evidence.
• Common errors in police crash reports and how Delta Intel corrects them to strengthen cases.
• The importance of early investigator involvement to preserve critical evidence, such as surveillance footage that may be overwritten within 10–30 days.
• Techniques for background checks and open-source intelligence reports to prepare clients and counter opposing witnesses.
• Challenges of serving legal documents and locating clients for mass tort settlements.
• The psychological toll of police work and Todd’s decision to transition to a less stressful career in private investigation.
• Tips for disappearing off the grid, including avoiding trackable vehicles and abandoning smartphones.

Where to Listen: Catch this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Like and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes of The Dirty Verdict.

Contact Delta Intel: Learn more about Scott and Todd’s services at DeltaWins.com.

Note: This episode includes humorous banter and a special birthday shoutout to Todd’s brother, Greg, complete with a celebratory cake!