Political Tracking: When Politics Meets Private Investigators and GPS Tracking Devices

Introduction:

With 12 years of experience as a Private Investigator, I've navigated the dark depths of surveillance and investigation and I often hear the same question from many of my private clients. Can you track someone with a GPS tracker? The answer is…complicated. Today, I dive into the intriguing world of GPS trackers, political espionage, and a court case involving two Private Investigators going to the Neveda Supreme Court.

Today, we plunge into the murky depths of political investigations and the enigma of GPS trackers. Brace yourselves as we unravel the gripping saga that unfolded during the 2022 election season in Northern Nevada. Join me, as we learn the cases of Mariluz Garcia, Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve, and former Washoe County Commissioner Vaughn Hartung.

So what happened? Recent revelations from an investigation by KUNR Public Radio, The Nevada Independent, and APM Reports shed light on the "unprecedented" use of private detectives in investigating politicians during the 2022 election season. Let's uncover the intriguing details and discuss how it does, and does not effect New York State law.

Exploring Political Investigations:

It seems the game of politics has taken a peculiar turn in Northern Nevada. According to the investigative report, private investigators were hired to investigate and track the movements of politicians, a tactic deemed unprecedented by lawmakers and observers of Reno politics. The revelation that two prominent local Republicans hired these private investigators adds an intriguing layer to the story, raising questions about the motives and interests behind such investigations.

The Mysterious GPS Tracker:

The case of Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve's discovery of a GPS tracking device on her car just days before the election has captured significant attention. Further analysis reveals that the same tracking device had been used months earlier to monitor the movements of former Washoe County Commissioner Vaughn Hartung. The identities of the individuals who hired the private detectives in these cases remain undisclosed, leaving us to speculate about the intentions behind these investigations.

The GPS device used to track both Nevada Politicians

Unmasking the Masterminds:

Who are the shadowy figures behind these clandestine operations, you ask? As it stands, the identity of the of the individual, group, or company that hired these private investigators has not been revealed. The PI’s involved in these cases, David McNeely and Tom Green, have kept their clients' names under lock and key. I have great respect for these two investigators by not revealing their clients information without a legal fight to the bitter end and all the way to the Nevada Supreme Court! Client confidentiality is sacred in our industry and these two are doing the right thing.

Legal and Privacy Implications:

While Nevada lacks specific prohibitions on using these devices, legislators are now scrambling to change that. With over 26 states and the District of Columbia already restricting electronic tracking, Hartung and Schieve have taken legal action, filing lawsuits against the private investigator, David McNeely, alleging invasion of privacy. As part of the litigation, they are seeking to compel the investigator to reveal his client's identity, further highlighting the complexities surrounding these investigations. I would like to see how the court balances the need for client confidentiality and the legal rights of those who were under surveillance, especially when these Investigators do not appear to have broken any laws at the time the device was used.

A New Low for Political Opposition Research?:

The utilization of high-tech tools and traditional surveillance by private investigators McNeely and his counterpart, Tom Green, has raised the stakes of opposition research on local politicians to unprecedented levels. This heightened scrutiny, particularly in county commission races, signals a departure from traditional political opposition research in the modern age. Fred Lokken, chair of the political science department at Truckee Meadows Community College, describes the situation as "a new low" in local politics. However, this is not new. Opposition research has existed since the dawn of government and elections. I would go even further and say that private intelligence gathering and the exchange of information for money is one of the oldest professions since the dawn of mankind. Private Investigators are routinely tasked with learning all they can about their client’s political opposition. After all, if you don’t know your competition, how will you run a competent and successful campaign? I believe what we are seeing is the over reaction of the political elite throwing a tantrum to get their way. As far as I can tell, in this case, neither of the investigators broke current Nevada state law. I should stress that I am no lawyer though.

Can a Private Investigator in New York State attach a GPS to your vehicle or track your cell phone?

Let’s bring it back to beautiful Upstate New York. In the realm of private investigation, privacy rights take center stage. In New York, the rules about GPS trackers are crystal clear: you can't slap one on someone's ride unless you happen to be the owner of said vehicle. The same goes for cell phones. You can track the mobile device you own, but don't even think about stalking someone else's phone without their consent. These laws serve as guardians of individual privacy, reminding us that we can't always play the Big Brother card. This is why traditional surveillance is still one of the main services that most clients utilize to find solutions to their cases. If all of us Private Investigator’s had the same capabilities as the NSA, it would be a drastically different world we live in.

Conclusion:

In this ever-changing world of private investigation, the Reno case brings up the delicate dance between investigative pursuits and individual privacy rights. As New Yorkers, we adhere to strict laws governing GPS trackers and cell phone tracking, honoring the sacred principles of consent and ownership.

I know this was a long blog post and so I want to thank you for sticking it out on this fascinating subject.

Michael Budde

Odin Investigative Services LLC

(315) 288-6006

Mbudde@OdinPI.net

www.OdinPI.net

NY State Private Investigator License #11000222924