Colin Schmitt
Investigator
Colin’s illustrious 28-year career in law enforcement culminated in 2021 when he retired from the FBI after making significant contributions to the field. His journey in law enforcement began with the U.S. Marshals Service, where he gained invaluable experience tracking fugitives of justice, honing his investigative skills, and developing a deep understanding of the complexities involved in locating and apprehending individuals evading the law. This foundational experience set the stage for his transition to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1997, where his career truly flourished.
During his tenure with the FBI, Colin handled a broad spectrum of high-stakes investigations, gaining expertise across a wide range of criminal activities. He worked extensively on financial crimes, where he investigated complex fraud schemes, embezzlement, and corporate malfeasance, utilizing his background in accounting and economics to uncover intricate financial webs of deceit. Colin also played a pivotal role in uncovering public corruption, working to expose government officials who abused their positions of power for personal gain, often in collaboration with other federal agencies.
In addition to financial crime, Colin’s investigative work extended into areas such as terrorism and national security. He was involved in high-priority cases aimed at preventing terrorist activity on U.S. soil, addressing the ever-evolving threat of both domestic and international terrorism. His work in this field required a keen ability to manage large-scale investigations, often involving coordination with multiple agencies and departments. Furthermore, Colin was heavily involved in investigating money laundering schemes, tracking illicit funds as they moved through various financial institutions, and working to disrupt the channels used by criminals to conceal their illegal activities.
His commitment to justice also extended to civil rights cases, where Colin worked to uphold the rights of individuals whose liberties were being violated. Whether addressing hate crimes, police misconduct, or unlawful discrimination, his work in this area reflected his deep commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all citizens. Additionally, Colin’s expertise in violent crime investigations positioned him as a leader in addressing some of the most serious threats to public safety.
Before his retirement, Colin served as the Supervisory Senior Resident Agent in the FBI’s Riverside Office, a role that placed him in charge of managing operations and overseeing investigations across the region. In this capacity, he was responsible for coordinating efforts on a range of critical cases, ensuring that the office ran smoothly, and that investigations were executed with precision and efficiency. His leadership in this position was a testament to his extensive experience, his ability to manage high-stakes cases, and his dedication to mentoring the next generation of FBI agents.
Since retiring from the FBI, Colin has continued to apply his vast expertise in a new capacity as a private detective. He specializes in corporate financial investigations, offering his skills to businesses and corporations that require thorough investigations into fraud, embezzlement, and other financial crimes. Additionally, Colin provides risk management services, helping organizations identify potential threats and vulnerabilities, and implementing strategies to mitigate those risks. His work in site security has further solidified his reputation as a go-to expert for corporate clients looking to safeguard their assets and personnel.
Colin’s professional credentials further underscore his expertise in these fields. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), a designation that highlights his advanced knowledge in detecting and preventing fraud. His certification as an Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) reflects his deep understanding of the methods used to launder money and the regulations in place to combat this global issue. In addition to his extensive practical experience, Colin’s educational background includes Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Economics, as well as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), which have provided him with a strong foundation in financial principles and business operations.
Throughout his distinguished career, Colin has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to justice, ethics, and public service. His continued work as a private detective allows him to utilize his vast expertise to assist corporations and individuals in navigating complex financial and security challenges. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, Colin remains a respected figure in both the law enforcement and private sectors, continuing to make a significant impact long after his official retirement.
Throughout his career, Colin developed expertise in investigating various forms of financial crime, including intellectual property theft. In his work with the FBI, he likely encountered cases where businesses and individuals experienced the illegal use or replication of their proprietary information, inventions, or creative works. Intellectual property theft, which can include anything from trade secrets to patented technology, often involves sophisticated schemes that require a deep understanding of both legal protections and the methods criminals use to steal and profit from such assets. Given Colin’s background in corporate financial investigations and fraud, it’s likely that his skills in uncovering and tracing illicit activities would have been instrumental in protecting companies’ intellectual property, safeguarding their innovations from exploitation.
Colin’s broad range of investigative experience also covers areas such as civil rights, which often involve addressing harassment claims. Whether these claims stem from workplace issues, discrimination, or abuses of power, Colin’s work in civil rights investigations likely required him to assess the validity of harassment complaints and ensure that the victims’ rights were upheld. His work in both public corruption and civil rights cases would have given him a nuanced understanding of the impact of harassment, not only on individuals but also within corporate and government environments, helping him to resolve these claims through thorough investigations and protective measures for the victims involved.
One of the most significant areas of Colin’s FBI career was his work on political corruption cases. These investigations involved exposing officials who abused their positions for personal gain, often through bribery, embezzlement, or the manipulation of public funds. Colin’s role in these cases was critical in ensuring that justice was served and that corrupt practices were dismantled at their roots. His work in political corruption often required him to navigate complex webs of influence, financial transactions, and insider knowledge to reveal the illegal activities of individuals in positions of power. These high-profile cases reflect Colin’s dedication to maintaining the integrity of government institutions and ensuring accountability at the highest levels.
Colin’s expertise in financial crime also includes major fraud cases, which were a key focus during his time with the FBI. These cases often involved large-scale schemes, such as corporate fraud, Ponzi schemes, or complex financial deceptions that targeted businesses, government programs, or individuals. As a Certified Fraud Examiner, Colin’s knowledge in detecting and investigating fraudulent activities has been essential in bringing perpetrators to justice and recovering assets. His ability to uncover elaborate schemes, track illicit financial movements, and build comprehensive cases against those responsible showcases his deep understanding of both the mechanics of fraud and the strategies needed to combat it.
As part of his extensive background in investigating terrorism, money laundering, and financial crimes, Colin would have encountered numerous cyber crime cases. These crimes, often involving the use of technology to commit fraud, steal personal data, or disrupt financial systems, have become a growing concern in the modern era. Colin’s experience with complex investigations and his certification in Anti-Money Laundering likely required him to track digital transactions, uncover cyber-based threats, and collaborate with specialists in cybersecurity. His ability to investigate cyber crimes, particularly those linked to financial crimes and intellectual property theft, positions him as a highly capable investigator in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
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