Watchdog group has hired a P.I.

Continuing its search for information about the Anderson Fire Protection District's investigation into the management practices of Fire Chief Joe Piccinini, the Anderson watchdog group Citizens for a Fair Local Government has hired its own licensed Private Investigator.

A representative of Van Ditmarsen Investigations subsequently contacted Neil Purcell to determine whether Purcell possessed a private investigator's license in California.

"I don't have a private investigator license," Purcell told the investigator, according to a copy of the investigator's report released by watchdog group member Debe Hopkins.

In response to one of the watchdog group's prior concerns, Fitzpatrick stated during the fire district's special board meeting on Thursday, June 25, that "no private investigator's license was required of (Purcell) due to the exemption set forth in California Business and Professions Code section 7522(a)" that allows attorneys or their employees to conduct an investigation.

Fitzpatrick then continued, "The (Shasta County) District Attorney reported to me today that he has reviewed this matter and has been in contact with that state office which oversees these types of licensing issues. He was assured through that state office that as long as he is contracting with a public agency and working exclusively for that agency in conducting the investigation, he is exempt from the licensing requirements for private investigators."

Continuing with details about the district's agreement with Purcell, Fitzpatrick said Purcell will be paid $65 per hour as well as reimbursed for food, lodging and transportation, although Fitzpatrick noted that he has yet to receive an invoice for those items from Purcell.

Concerning why Purcell was hired instead of someone local, Fitzpatrick said, "Mr. Purcell's name came up as someone to use because he has been involved in numerous non-criminal administrative investigations during his 41 years working for various public agencies."