Mother’s Words of Wisdom Guides Private Investigator Through Career Changes

Mara McLaughlin, Senior Investigator at NYS Insurance Fund and NYS Licensed Private Investigator, had plans of becoming an attorney, but those plans quickly changed while she was working at a private investigations firm in her first job after college.

May 2015

ACFE Member Profile
Senior Investigator, NYS Insurance Fund
NYS Licensed Private Investigator

Mara McLaughlin’s plans of becoming an attorney quickly changed while she was working at a private investigations firm in her first job after college. She realized that her true passion was in investigations. And, no matter what those investigations, career changes or personal challenges entailed, she decided she would always keep the faith in her decisions. “My mother always reminded me to accept the things I could not change and accept that the best and worst times of my life can coincide,” said McLaughlin. “When times get tough I remember my mom’s words of wisdom. I make the choice to wake up and approach each day with a smile and positive attitude.”

Where were you born and raised?

I was born and raised on Long Island. My father was a school administrator, so summer vacations were spent on the beach with family and friends. If we weren’t at the ocean we were enjoying the culture of New York City or camping up and down the East Coast. My parents always found interesting things to do with my sisters and me so I enjoyed a great childhood.

 

What is your current role and what does it entail?

I am employed as a senior investigator for the New York State Insurance Fund, Division of Confidential Investigations. I work with an amazing team of investigators assigned throughout New York, and our division specializes in all areas of workers compensation fraud. We evaluate cases for the potential of criminal prosecution. We work with local district attorneys’ offices and law enforcement agencies whose ongoing support is essential to our success and, most importantly, the fight against fraud.

 

Did you always plan to pursue the role you are currently in?

I considered attending law school after graduating with a Criminal Justice degree from the University of Dayton. I eventually returned to New York and absolutely loved my first job working for a private investigations firm. The firm contracted with financial institutions needing to locate hidden assets of debtors who defaulted on their loans. My experience diversified into all aspects of investigative work, and I relished the influence I had as an investigator and the difference I could make in the resolution of civil and criminal matters affecting various industries.

 

What is a memorable case or project that you have worked on?

I worked on a memorable case when I was employed as an investigator for the New York State Department of Labor. I was responsible for enforcing the provisions of a New York State labor law that requires the payment of prevailing wages while working on a public work project. The case commenced when a worker complained he was being underpaid on a public work project.

The scope of my investigation encompassed a one-year period and included surveillance, interviews, the issuing of subpoenas for multiple business records and an audit of all the financial records. I discovered that the subject’s company had secured seven additional public work projects and failed to pay the proper prevailing wage to 15 additional victims. My audits found that the subject was falsifying the certified payrolls and business records related to the projects.

The evidentiary material secured proved that the subject bid the various projects at prevailing wage rates and in accordance with the proper payment scale, but then reaped significant monetary gains by not paying that scale after securing the projects over other bidders. Working in conjunction with the local district attorney’s office resulted in a guilty plea to several counts including two felony convictions and court-ordered restitution to all of the victims related to the eight projects.

New York State collected approximately $800,000, of which $560,000 concerned the underpayment of prevailing wages. The remainder related to interest, penalties and recoveries for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

 

When you are not working, what types of things do you enjoy doing?

I think it is so important to have a good balance of personal and professional experiences, and I make spending quality time with my kids a priority no matter how busy life gets. It’s a challenge at times, but I learned to restructure the way in which I did things so that I could still make time for family and friends while earning a living and enjoying my career. I most enjoy spending time at the beach and always love a great Broadway show or time in New York City.

I also travel every chance I get. The summer after graduation I traveled across country for a year with my best friend, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. Aside from all the beautiful places to see I love spending time with strangers whose lives are so different than my own yet wonderful in their own right. In life, every person and experience has something to teach you, and getting outside your comfort zone often brings you the best learning experiences you will have.