Page 9 - Restricting PI Access to Public Records - AFI-LLC Newsletter February 2020

Restricting PI Access to Public Records - AFI-LLC Newsletter February 2020

Court: Investigator who aided high-profile exoneration can proceed with defamation case
(Rich Robertson, CLI – R3 Investigations of AZ)

An Illinois Appellate Court panel on Monday reinstated a lawsuit brought by Paul Ciolino, an IL private investigator who
contended he was defamed by a lawyers, a journalist, and a police union official, among others, who have contended
that he framed Alstory Simon of murder by a coerced confession in 1999. Ciolino was working for the Innocence to clear
Anthony Porter of a 1987 murder and wrongful conviction.

In a unanimous decision, the court ruled, "At issue are statements accusing the investigator, Paul Ciolino, of improperly
coercing a man named Alstory Simon into confessing that he had committed the murder of a couple in Washington Park
in 1982 for which another man, Anthony Porter, had been convicted and sentenced to die." – IL Appellate Court

“Today an Appellate Court in Chicago ruled unanimously in my favor. I have been in this fight for years now and I have no
doubt that it will be years before we are finished with it. Make no mistake though, I will prevail in the end. To all my
friends and colleagues who have stood by me throughout this little exercise you have my undying thanks. Most of all
though my everlasting gratefulness to my Lawyer Jenni Bonjean, (as well as Ashley Cohen & Jared Kasoglad) who has just
been magnificent in every way. Jenni is the straw who has stirred this drink.” – Paul Ciolino

“Paul Ciolino and his Attorney Jennifer Bonjean won a major victory in their Appeal from the Circuit Court of Cook County
today. Most such appeals are not successful. This one prevailed with a unanimous decision. Paul's position is that the
evidence makes clear just how completely WHOLE TRUTH FILMS lied in their creation of the ALSTORY SIMON
documentary. People were paid, people lied, and nobody wants to look at the evidence.

Now Paul has won the right move forward with the process of holding everyone involved accountable. This level of
professional commitment is not for everyone, but is risked by anyone who is a serious professional. Makes no mistake,
this is the beginning of a real legal fight with major players and the highest civil stakes.” – Brent Turvey

-- continued at www.injusticewatch.org/news/2020/court-investigator-who-aided-high-profile-exoneration-can-
proceed-with-defamation-case

Congratulations new Certified Legal Investigators – Craig Smith, CLI and Bill Joynt, CLI
The CLI (Certified Legal Investigator) designation was started in 1979 to earn an unparalleled professional certification.

On 01/23/2020, CLI testing was administered at the NALI Mid-Winter Conference in FL., as presented by CLI Committee
Chair, Jennifer Brown, JD, CLI (Brown Legal Investigations – CO):
“Through rigid examination, oral ethics testing, role playing, statement taking, and white paper authorship, NALI gives
the legal investigator an opportunity to be considered one of the most skilled investigators in the world. Not only is it a
tough process to get the CLI, we are also making the commitment to take and report on Continuing Education credits for
20 years. After passing the CLI examination, attaining the CLI designation, and agreeing to maintain the CLI, there is no
doubt that the CLI is the best of the best. At the start of this year, we have 59 active CLIs worldwide. The fact that there
are only 59 is a testament to the skill level necessary to pass the rigid and difficult CLI exam.”

Craig Smith, CLI
Craig is a new NALI member from Colorado. He owns Brightstar Investigations.

Bill Joynt, CLI
Bill has been a NALI member for several years. He owns William Joynt Investigations in Toronto.
Bill is the first International CLI.

This brings our Active CLI Roster to 61 worldwide. Dean is one of, now six, in Colorado and is on the CLI Committee.
What is a Certified Legal Investigator (CLI)? www.nalionline.org/certified-legal-investigators-program