Society of Professional Investigators

01/23/2026

01/23/2026

Excited to share some fantastic updates from the Society of Professional Investigators (SPI)! As President, I’m thrilled to welcome two exceptional leaders to our executive team, strengthening our commitment to advancing professional investigation standards, ethics, and community connections.

A warm welcome to Robert Fried as our new Vice President! Rob, honored as the top professional investigator of 2024, brings a wealth of expertise to drive our initiatives forward.

We’re also pleased to introduce Greg Hagarty as our new Treasurer. As a New York State Certified Public Accountant with a Master’s in Taxation, Greg will be instrumental in guiding our financial strategy.

These appointments mark an exciting chapter for SPI—looking forward to their impact!

01/21/2026

SPI Member Alex Argiro Featured in "People Magazine Investigates: Death in Hell's Kitchen"

As the Society of Professional Investigators (SPI) continues its mission to advance the science and ethics of professional investigation—rooted in our founding principles since 1956—we're proud to spotlight one of our dedicated members, Alex Argiro, who recently appeared in the gripping episode of *People Magazine Investigates* titled "Death in Hell's Kitchen." This episode, which aired on Investigation Discovery on January 19, 2026, delves into a chilling series of crimes that rocked New York City's LGBTQ+ community in 2022.

In the episode, Alex brings his expertise as a seasoned investigator to the forefront, contributing insights into the investigation of the tragic deaths of Julio Ramirez and John Umberger. These two men were found dead after nights out at popular gay bars in Hell's Kitchen, with evidence pointing to a ruthless gang that drugged, robbed, and murdered victims before draining their bank accounts. The case exposed a disturbing pattern of predation during Pride Month, shattering families and alerting the NYPD to a broader threat in the city's nightlife scene.

Alex's involvement underscores SPI's core goals: cultivating knowledge in investigative techniques, promoting efficiency in professional services, and fostering mutual understanding among investigators to combat crime and corruption. As outlined in our bylaws, SPI comprises a diverse network of licensed private investigators, forensic experts, attorneys, and law enforcement professionals—all committed to elevating standards in the field.

If you missed the episode, it's available here:
https://vimeo.com/1143992545/947169b797

Stay connected with SPI for more updates on our members' impactful work in the investigative community.

For more on SPI's history and membership, visit our website.

01/19/2026

Let's honor Dr. King's vision by committing to justice in all we do. Whether through networking, education, or professional excellence, we can bend the arc of the moral universe toward a better tomorrow.

Michael Graziano
President
Society of Professional Investigators

12/31/2025

Dear Members, Colleagues, and Friends of the Society of Professional Investigators,

As we bid farewell to 2025 and welcome the promise of 2026, the Society of Professional Investigators extends our warmest wishes for a Happy New Year!
This past year has been one of growth, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to excellence in our field.

In the year ahead, let's continue to innovate, support one another, and uphold the highest standards of professional investigation. May 2026 bring you prosperity, success in your endeavors, and moments of joy with loved ones.
Happy New Year!

SPI

12/14/2025

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/society-of-professional-investigators_on-december-20-2014-while-protecting-our-activity-7405771581534134273-7tv1?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAARiVwQBSXdnKD958nv-to2Y1b-8BciFB10

On December 20, 2014, while protecting our city and seated in a marked police automobile, Detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjan Liu, officers of the 84th. Preceinct, were murdered. This horrific event resonated in the investigative and law enforcement community and the public at large. A manhunt ensued...

11/27/2025

🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from the Society of Professional Investigators! 🦃

As we gather with family and friends this holiday, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to our dedicated members and supportive partners.

We hope your Thanksgiving is filled with warmth, gratitude, and maybe a little well-deserved downtime (no stakeouts today… we hope! 😉).

Here’s to good food, great company, and the pursuit of truth.

Happy Thanksgiving! 🍁🦃🍽️

11/22/2025

NYPD Police Women’s Endowment Association (PEA)

As one of the oldest of the over forty NYPD recognized fraternal organizations, The PEA was founded in 1921 representing women’s collective bargaining rights until 1968, when the NYPD PBA began accepting women.

Throughout the years, the PEA evolved and remained a steadfast advocate- promoting equality, opportunity, and leadership for women in law enforcement.

In celebration of the PEA, the Society of Professional Investigators came together to support the PEA at their annual Awards and Scholorship Dinner.

We congratulate PEA President Erica Bukowieki and the board for maintaining the legacy of the PEA and congratulate SPI member, Joseph Ayala, recipient of the Disgtinguished Supporter Award, and all the honorees for their contribution to law enforcement and the investigative community.

11/21/2025

On November 18, 2025, the Society of Professional Investigators joined our friends to celebrate the New York Law Enforcement Foundation's 30th Anniversary Awards Dinner. We congratulate the Chairman and Founder, Reggie Ward; Co-Chairman, Sal Giardina; President, Tom D'Auria; the dedicated board of directors; and the 2025 honorees for their relentless contributions to the law-enforcement and investigative communities.

11/14/2025

S*X, DRUGS, MONEY- WHERE DOES IT GO?
On November 13, 2025, the Society of Professional Investigators hosted its meeting at STORIES, Astoria (with special thanks to Tommy).

During this meeting, active law-enforcement investigators, prosecutors, judges and private investigators came together for a presentation by experts in casino and illegal gambling.

This presentiaon took us down the “rabbit hole” and illustrated how funds are laundered by organized crime syndicates throughout the world to California, Las Vegas, Canada and New York; and used for human trafficking, illegal narcotics enterprises and other illicit operations.

We thank Tyler Burtis, Jeff Michell and Daffodil Tyminski for sharing their insight and experience and recognize them for their distinguished and relentless contributions to the law-enforcement and private investigations sector.

As SPI continues to expand its presence in the investigative community, five new members took their oath of membership and joined our highly selective and nationally well- respected organization.

11/13/2025

🌟 **JUST ANNOUNCED: SPI’s Must-Attend Event on Casino & Illegal Gambling Investigations!** 🌟

📅 **Thursday, November 13 | 6:00 PM**
📍 **Stories Lounge** – 34-39 31st St, Suite 3, Long Island City, NY
💰 **SPI Members: $75 | Non-Members: $85**
🎟️ **Open to all investigators, compliance pros & financial crime fighters!**

🔥 **BREAKING:** The **lead prosecutor in the MGM Grand money laundering case** — tied to **Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter & Yasiel Puig** — is making his **FIRST public appearance** with SPI!

👑 **HEADLINER: TYLER BURTIS**
Retired **Special Agent in Charge**, CA DOJ Bureau of Gambling Control
✅ Led **Normandie Casino** & **Tran Organization** cheat prosecutions
✅ Supervised **Archie Karas** investigation
✅ Co-chaired **FinCEN/IRS/HSI Casino Money Laundering Working Group**
✅ Founder, **Burtis Investigations LLC** | **CFCS**

⚡ **ALL-STAR PANEL:**
📌 **JEFF MITCHELL** – Former AUSA | **DHS Prosecutor of the Year 2020**
📌 **DANIEL C. SILVA** – Architect of **$100M+ bank AML forfeitures** & **largest crypto Ponzi ever charged**
📌 **DAFFODIL TYMINSKI** – Former AUSA, OCDETF | Prosecuted **drug cartels laundering through casinos**

🔔 **With cheating scams surging across NYC**, get **insider tactics, case breakdowns & compliance strategies** from the **federal agents and prosecutors who shut them down**.

👉 **REGISTER NOW:** [www.spiny.org/events](http://www.spiny.org)
📱 **Scan QR!**

**Tag your team** — **seats are limited!**



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*Society of Professional Investigators | Est. 1955*