A Statement by Kimmons Security Services, Inc.: New England Patriots Cheating May Warrant Criminal Investigation
HOUSTON , Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The NFL may not have the final word on punishment for the New England Patriots and team coaches. News accounts of the cheating scandal report covert video surveillance and taping of opposing teams defensive signals. Covert video surveillance is not a criminal offense, in most cases. However, some news accounts mention, "Patriots might have wired linemen to pick up opposing teams' offensive audibles." If this is true, and conversations were covertly intercepted without participants' knowledge, this could very well be a criminal offense. In most states, at least one party in a conversation must know it is being intercepted or taped, or a criminal law has been violated. Some states require all party consent for audio monitoring.
Any suspicion of covert interception of conversations should be fully investigated by law enforcement. We would probably be naive to think the Patriots are the only team involved in cheating. How widespread is this problem, and have teams crossed the line and laws been violated? Corporations have been aware of the threat of eavesdropping over airways and telephone communications for years. Many have taken appropriate steps through security measures to limit such threats. It would be prudent for the NFL, and possibly others, to fully investigate these incidents, and determine if teams may have been involved in such practices.
The law seems to be very clear regarding the covert interception of conversations. The question that remains would seem to be whether or not the Patriots, and possibly others, have been involved in this potential illegal activity. This question needs to be answered.
Contact: Rob L. Kimmons CPP, CFE, CHS III Kimmons Security Services, Inc. (former law enforcement officers) Investigations, Countermeasures/Debugging Services, Security Houston, Texas http://www.kimmonssecurity.com (281) 679-0070 Member of BBB of Greater HoustonThis release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.
SOURCE Kimmons Security Services, Inc.
