Allen Morris Investigations LLC

04/08/2026

A label is not a legal defense.

California courts continue to look past the titles organizations assign to workers and examine what the relationship actually looks like in practice. In a decision issued on January 6, 2026, the California Court of Appeal ruled in Spilman v. The Salvation Army that the absence of a pay agreement alone is not sufficient to classify a worker as a volunteer and avoid wage law obligations.

The court established a two part test: the worker must have freely chosen the arrangement for a personal or charitable benefit, and the organization's use of that unpaid labor must not serve as a workaround for legal wage requirements.

For those of us working in workplace compliance and investigations, this is a familiar principle applied in a new context. The question is never just what you call something. It is whether the substance of the arrangement holds up to scrutiny.

This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Source: California Case Summaries, Monty A. McIntyre, Esq.

04/06/2026

Apparently this is what people think workplace investigators do. 🕵️‍♀️📸👀

► Hiding behind doors 🚪
► Peeking through blinds 🪟
► Camera in hand 📷

Let me clarify.

That is not how workplace investigations operate.

In reality, effective workplace investigations are conducted in the open, not in the shadows. ☀️

They rely on structured interviews 🗂️, documented evidence 📄, and impartial analysis ⚖️

► No disguises 🎭
► No covert surveillance 🚫
► No “gotcha” moments

As investigators, we identify ourselves, explain our role, and ensure all parties understand the process. 🤝

Transparency builds credibility. Credibility builds defensible findings.
If your investigator looks like this… you may have hired the wrong person. 😬

If your investigator is asking detailed questions, testing consistency, and applying policy and legal standards, you are on the right track. ✅

Workplace investigations are not about catching people.

They are about finding facts. 🔍

04/06/2026

Dealing with Harassment & Discrimination Complaints with Kathie Allen

Tuesday, April 14, 2026
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM PDT

Kathie Allen is the Founder and Principal Investigator of Allen Morris Investigations LLC, a licensed California private investigation firm based in Orange County. She will present on her program called “Responding to Harassment and Discrimination Complaints: Critical Steps for Business Owners.” Kathie recognizes that most business owners are not prepared when a harassment, discrimination, or misconduct complaint lands on their desk. Yet the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours are often the most critical.

Each Chamber breakfast attendee will also have an opportunity to introduce themselves and share about their business before the program begins. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made online. Breakfast admission is $25.00. Attendees are encouraged to bring a door prize to help promote their business or service. The program includes live networking, self-introductions, a breakfast buffet, and our guest speaker.

Registration: https://bit.ly/3YKqsle

04/06/2026

Excited to share that my article, “Title IX and Employee Conduct in K-12 Settings,” is featured in the March/April 2026 issue of PI Magazine! 📖

https://pimagazine.com/current-issue-contents-page/

02/13/2026

𝗣𝗜 𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸: 🚨 ⚖️𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙀𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙇𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘾𝘼 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝙊𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 🔎🏡

I want to alert my network to a disturbing situation impacting homeowners in the Beverly Hills area 🏘️that has broader implications for property owners statewide.

According to a recent 7 On Your Side investigation 📺, multiple homeowners discovered 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘂𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘀 recorded 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 by a third party they have never done business with.

The liens claim 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀 💰in alleged work such as “cleaning services” and “business consulting” despite homeowners having no relationship with the entity that filed them.

Mechanics liens in California are surprisingly easy to file. A simple a one-page form dropped off at the county recorder’s office. Unfortunately, county recorders do not verify the merit or accuracy of these claims. That means erroneous or potentially abusive liens can be recorded and quickly become a “cloud on title,” making it costly and difficult to sell or refinance a home. 🏦

🔎𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮, 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲. I have a reminder on my calendar to review mine once a year. 📅

More information here: https://bit.ly/4kDLJHg

The homeowners claim their homes have all been hit with massive, multimillion-dollar liens by someone they've never done business with.

02/08/2026

🤖 Your AI assistant just:
- Bought something
- Screened a job candidate
- Signed a contract

You never clicked "approve."

Welcome to AGENTIC AI – software that acts independently without waiting for your permission.

The problem?

When AI makes autonomous decisions:
❓ Who's liable for discrimination?
❓ Who authorized that purchase?
❓ Who's responsible when it fails?

A 2024 California court ruled: If AI acts as your "agent," YOU are directly liable for its decisions.

⚡ AI acts 24/7 at scale
⚖️ You're still responsible
📋 59 new AI regulations in 2024 (2x from 2023)

The tech is here. The laws are catching up.

Is your business ready for AI that doesn't ask permission?

💬 Comment "AI" if this concerns you

02/08/2026

🎯 The real goal of workplace investigations isn't what you think

Most HR professionals get this wrong. After 20 years conducting workplace investigations in California, here's the truth: it's not about finding absolute truth—it's about creating a defensible process.

California's Cotran v. Rollins case proved it: employers need good-faith belief based on a credible investigation, not absolute proof.

3 non-negotiables:
⚡ Promptness
⚖️ Neutrality
📋 Documentation

Activision Blizzard's $72M lesson: poor investigations = massive liability

01/28/2026

💰 **𝗧𝗶𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸: 𝗜𝗥𝗦 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱**

Tax season brings out scammers. Remember:

The IRS will NEVER:

❌ Call to demand immediate payment 💸
❌ Threaten arrest or legal action 👮
❌ Ask for credit card numbers over the phone 💳
❌ Demand payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency 🎁
❌ Email or text about your tax bill 📧📱

📬 The IRS contacts taxpayers by mail first. If you get a suspicious call, hang up ☎️ and contact the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.

🛡️ Don't let scammers steal your refund or your identity.

01/26/2026

🎉 Proud to announce that Allen Morris Investigations LLC has achieved 𝗪𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗖 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 as a woman-owned business.

🏅 This certification represents more than a milestone. It reflects our commitment to excellence in workplace investigations and the values of integrity and professionalism that guide every case we handle.

📋 WBENC certification is the 𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 for woman-owned businesses, requiring a rigorous vetting process to verify ownership, control, and management. For organizations throughout California seeking certified diverse suppliers for workplace investigation services, this certification provides confidence in our qualifications.

🤝 Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey. We look forward to continuing to serve businesses, schools, and organizations across Orange County and California with thorough, impartial workplace investigations.

01/25/2026

⚠️ Falsely accused at work in California?

Even when allegations are untrue, the investigation process itself can be overwhelming. Reputations can be damaged, anxiety increases, and many employees have no idea what their rights actually are.

After more than 20 years conducting workplace investigations throughout California, I have seen how devastating false accusations can be for respondents.

📘 I just published a new article covering:

• What qualifies as a false workplace accusation
• The difference between unfounded vs. unsubstantiated findings
• Your rights during a California workplace investigation
• What investigators actually look for
• What to do and what not to do if you are wrongly accused

Understanding the process can help reduce fear and protect your career.

🕵️‍♀️ Kathie Allen
California Private Investigator (PI 27033)
Licensed Workplace Investigator
Orange County, CA

By Kathie Allen, California Private Investigator (PI 27033) Licensed Workplace Investigator | Orange County, CA