Santoni Investigations is a licensed private investigation firm (PI 12689) with offices in Los Angeles and Orange County and investigative resources throughout California. The firm, founded in 1975, specializes in investigative services for the insurance industry, including AOE/COE surveillance and other sub rosa investigations, and insurance fraud detection in all claim areas including property and auto. To learn more about our investigation services for insurance defense or other services including asset searches, civil and criminal background checks, service of process or other services, please contact us for a free consultation.

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Michael Santoni, President

Michael Santoni is a veteran investigator who has served as president of Santoni Investigations since 1980. He is an expert in insurance investigations, including workers' compensation, AOE/COE, surveillance, background investigations, interviews, locating individuals, asset investigations and in difficult service of process. He earned his Bachelor's degree from California State University at Long Beach and is an individually licensed private investigator (PI 24268) by the California State Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Security and Investigative Services. He is an active member of industry organizations including the California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI), the Southern California Fraud Investigators Association, the International Trademark Association (INTA) and the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC), and has been featured as a speaker at numerous conferences. Mike also serves as president of National Trademark Investigations, an investigation firm specializing in intellectual property issues.

Timothy Santoni, Vice President

Timothy Santoni is vice president and head of operations at Santoni Investigations. Since joining the firm in 2001, Tim has investigated many workers' compensation cases, many of which have resulted in evidence of fraud being subsequently referred to the California Department of Insurance and local District Attorneys for prosecution. He is a recognized expert on anti-counterfeit civil seizures and has served as an expert witness on the topic. Tim holds a Bachelor's degree from Point Loma Nazarene University and is a licensed private investigator and registered process server in the state of California. He is an active member of the California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI), the International Trademark Association (INTA), the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) and is a Fellow of the Council on Litigation Management (CLM).

DJ Brooks, Director of Investigations

DJ Brooks is director of investigations at Santoni Investigations. His extensive background in investigations and national security matters includes more than 25 years in evidence acquisition and analysis. His background with private investigation firms since 2001 includes senior roles covering criminal defense, insurance fraud, and intellectual property case work. DJ’s work in criminal defense resulted in an unbroken success record for cases he investigated. DJ manages investigative resources, heads training and quality assurance initiatives, and works closely with clients to ensure investigation objectives and budgets are met. DJ holds a Bachelor’s degree from California State University at Long Beach and studied law at Western State University College of Law, in addition to certificates in Arbitration and Mediation and International Marketing from the University of California, Irvine. He has consulted extensively on investigative strategy issues, is a licensed private investigator, a licensed public notary, and a registered process server in the state of California. He is an active member in the International Trademark Association (INTA), and the National Association of Public Notaries.

Scott Rutherford, Director of Marketing

Scott Rutherford is director of marketing and business development at Santoni Investigations. Prior to joining the firm, he headed the marketing department of legal and claims software company CT TyMetrix, where he co-authored the 2009 benchmark insurance industry study and report, “Cost Control in the Management of Litigated Claims.” His previous experience includes managing North American marketing communications, exhibition and CLE event programs for trademark search services firm Thomson CompuMark. His previous experience includes positions in legal advertising, technology marketing and broadcast journalism. Scott holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing Communications, magna cum laude, from Emerson College, Boston, and earned his MBA from the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College, Wellesley, Massachusetts. Scott is a member of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and a Fellow of the Council on Litigation Management (CLM), where he also serves as a member of the organization’s media committee.

AFFILIATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS