Understanding — and managing — risk.

“Due diligence investigation” is a phrase that varies in meaning among different business organizations and industries, from an investigator’s perspective, a due diligence investigation is utilized to assess the character, integrity and reputation of potential business partner(s) or key player(s) in a venture before the client enters into a substantial financial relationship. In other cases, conducting due diligence on companies comes down to investigating who runs them.

MCIs investigative due diligence practice draws on experience, analytical thinking and determination to find important and credible information, verify facts, and provide reports to help clients make informed business decisions. MCI performs comprehensive due diligence investigations on individuals and entities in order to alert clients to risk, disclosure issues, potential liabilities, and to prepare for negotiations. MCI provides comprehensive and discreet investigative due diligence to assist companies in evaluating commercial opportunities and mitigating risks including reputational damage, financial losses and unforeseen legal liabilities.

MCI investigations begin by gathering as much background information as possible. Through open source Intelligence and paid database services, we develop an understanding of a client’s needs, situation, and the parties involved. To properly investigate each situation, we must develop a 360 degree view of a client’s concerns. We work with the client to communicate the phases of research to ensure we meet their needs. MCI investigators draw upon their experience to know what we can and cannot legally and ethically ask, and how much information is public domain.

MCI due diligence investigations involve a phased research component, usually comprehensive online searches and paid subscription data bases. Results frequently need to be verified by obtaining the actual or original record at the location it is filed. Through a phased approach, we develop an understanding of the issues, dispute, claim and/or the suspect. MCI investigators may interview witnesses, perform an online review of social networking and web use, talk to relevant stakeholders, interview references, and follow up on any leads to confirm or disprove relevant information. This may involve surveillance, additional interviews, extended research, and corroborating stories. MCI investigators conduct face-to-face interviews, whenever possible.

What kind of information is found in a due diligence investigation?
Some of the more common issues that are revealed in a due diligence investigation include the following:
  • Misrepresentations of employment history or falsified degree information
  • Financial troubles, including bankruptcies, tax liens and foreclosures
  • Accusations in lawsuits, such as harassment or fraud
  • Regulatory issues
  • Past criminal trouble, including drunk driving
  • History of litigiousness
  • Undisclosed corporate affiliations, government scrutiny or a trail of failed companies
What is included in a due diligence investigation?

Information that is covered in a due diligence investigation typically includes the following:

  1. Personal and professional history, which includes work history, board memberships and nonprofit affiliations
  2. Historical news media research on the individuals and businesses with which they have been affiliated
  3. Details of civil litigation and criminal case history, including on-site court research and retrieval, where applicable
  4. Regulatory records, professional licenses and government compliance checks
  5. Financial history, which includes personal assets, judgments, liens, bankruptcies and U.S. Tax Court cases
  6. Corporate affiliations, sex offender registries, driving history records and political contribution records
  7. Credit history (with consent)
Why conduct a due diligence investigation?

In today’s business world, information is power. In the end, the purpose of conducting a due diligence investigation is to gather as much intelligence and information as possible to help you make a more informed decision.

Mission Critical - Due Diligence Investigations

A due diligence investigation

is conducted to assess the qualifications and track records of the people involved in the deal, to identify potential inconsistencies, misrepresentations, omissions or controversies in their backgrounds. Information is the key to managing risk.

Deliverables

On completion of every due diligience assignment, MCI clients receive a detailed and carefully sourced report that provides an assessment of the investigation findings.

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