Kathie Allen, workplace investigator serving Yuma, Sierra Vista, and Southern Arizona employers.
Licensed AZ & CA Private Investigator | AWI Trained | Yuma, Sierra Vista & Southern Arizona

Facing a workplace complaint in Southern Arizona? Get an independent, defensible investigation.

Independent workplace and Title IX investigations for Southern Arizona employers, HR teams, employment attorneys, public agencies, and educational institutions. Prompt, impartial fact-finding with defensible, court-ready reports.

Call or Text (949) 573-4624 See How an Investigation Works
Licensed AZ PI Agency #1829951
Licensed CA PI #27033
20+ Years of Experience
SHRM-SCP
Certified Title IX Investigator
Certified Mediator
Serving Yuma, Sierra Vista, and Southern Arizona

When should you engage an independent investigator?

Organizations turn to an independent investigator when allegations involve executives, HR, or senior leadership; when internal staff have real or perceived conflicts of interest; when the findings must hold up to board, agency, or legal review; and when neutrality is essential to protect trust and reduce litigation risk.

What We Investigate

Allegations vary. The investigation standard should not.

Neutral, evidence-based fact-finding aligned with Arizona employer obligations, organizational policy, and the preponderance of the evidence standard.

Harassment, Discrimination & Retaliation

Investigations under federal Title VII and the Arizona Civil Rights Act, including timeline reconstruction and adverse action analysis for retaliation claims.

Employee Misconduct

Theft, embezzlement, falsified records, policy violations, and professionalism concerns.

Whistleblower Claims

Financial irregularities, safety violations, and state and federal whistleblower protections.

Leadership & Executive Investigations

Structurally independent review when allegations involve executives or reporting-chain conflicts.

Title IX & School Investigations

Investigations for K-12 districts and higher education institutions, including Yuma Union High School District, Arizona Western College, and Cochise College communities.

Bullying & Abusive Conduct

Investigations of bullying and abusive conduct under organizational policy and applicable law.

Independent Investigator for Counsel

Neutral fact-finding in support of employment attorneys and their clients.

Ocean to Ocean Bridge in Yuma, Arizona
Serving employers in Yuma, Sierra Vista, and across Southern Arizona. Photo: Cbl62, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Local Employers

Employers we serve in Southern Arizona

Southern Arizona employers include agricultural growers and packing operations in the Yuma area, defense contractors serving Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and Fort Huachuca near Sierra Vista, regional health care systems, and public employers.

Illustrative Example

What a Southern Arizona investigation can look like

Illustrative example, not a specific client matter. A Yuma area packing operation receives a complaint that a crew supervisor made sexual comments to seasonal workers and threatened to cut hours of anyone who complained. An outside investigator interviews crew members in English or Spanish, using a qualified interpreter where needed, reviews crew assignment and time records, and reports findings on the harassment and retaliation allegations.

Courts, Agencies, and Interviews

How we work with Southern Arizona employers

Southern Arizona employment cases are heard by the Yuma County Superior Court, the Cochise County Superior Court in Bisbee, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. Charges may be filed with the Arizona Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division (Tucson office, 400 West Congress Street) or the EEOC Phoenix District Office. Interviews with seasonal and field workers are often conducted by secure video or in person during the season, with travel quoted in advance.

See all Arizona workplace investigations.

Methodology

How an investigation works

Built for defensibility. Conducted with precision.

01

Initial Consultation

A confidential discussion of the concern, the parties involved, and whether an independent investigation is the right fit.

02

Engagement & Scope

A formal engagement agreement, written investigation scope, allegations framing, and evidence preservation notice.

03

Evidence Collection

Systematic review of documents, electronic communications, and records, with chain-of-custody discipline.

04

Witness Interviews

Structured, trauma-informed interviews of complainants, respondents, and witnesses, conducted neutrally and respectfully.

05

Analysis & Credibility Assessment

Timeline reconstruction, corroboration analysis, credibility determinations, and application of the preponderance of the evidence standard.

06

Final Report

Comprehensive written findings with supporting analysis, policy references, and a defensible record for executive, board, or legal review.

Case Example

What an independent investigation looks like in practice

De-identified case study

Background

An employer retained an outside investigator after concerns surfaced that a senior employee had misrepresented credentials and manipulated internal records.

Investigation Process

Confidential interviews were conducted with supervisors, peers, and HR representatives. Professional certifications were verified with the issuing body, and personnel documentation was cross-checked against internal records.

Findings

The evidence supported a sustained finding that the employee had misrepresented credentials and participated in ongoing record manipulation. Documentation and corroboration were central to the conclusion.

Outcome

The organization implemented corrective action, enhanced credential verification, and strengthened manager documentation practices.

PreponderanceStandard applied
IndependentOutside fact-finding
DefensibleBoard-ready reporting

About the Principal Investigator

Kathie Allen, SHRM-SCP, brings over 20 years of experience in workplace investigations, employee relations, compliance, and administrative review, including service as Whistleblower Compliance Officer at a major California university. Licensed private investigator in California and Arizona; certified as a woman-owned business (WBENC WBE, SBA WOSB).

California Private Investigator License #27033
Arizona Private Investigator Agency License #1829951
Certified Title IX Investigator
SHRM-SCP Senior HR Credential
Certified Mediator | AWI Trained
Association of Workplace Investigators | Orange County Bar Association
Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from Southern Arizona employers

Who can legally conduct a workplace investigation in Arizona?

Only a licensed private investigator (A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 24), a practicing attorney retained on the matter, or an employer’s own internal employees may lawfully conduct workplace investigations in Arizona. Using an unlicensed outside investigator can expose an organization to penalties and can undermine the investigation if challenged.

What types of complaints should be formally investigated?

Serious allegations such as harassment, discrimination, retaliation, theft, fraud, falsified records, threats, confidentiality breaches, and ethics violations generally warrant a structured investigation.

How long does an investigation usually take?

Many investigations conclude within two to six weeks, depending on witness availability, evidence volume, and whether interim measures are needed.

Why hire an outside investigator instead of handling it internally?

An independent investigator strengthens neutrality, reduces perceived bias, and creates a more defensible record for executive, board, agency, or legal review, particularly when allegations involve leadership or HR itself.

Do you serve organizations outside Southern Arizona?

Yes. Allen Morris Investigations serves employers throughout Arizona, including Greater Phoenix and Southern Arizona, as well as California.

Need a neutral workplace investigation in Southern Arizona?

Confidential consultations for employers, HR teams, attorneys, public agencies, and schools. Responses within 24 hours. Serving Yuma, Sierra Vista, Douglas, Nogales, and communities across Southern Arizona.

Call or Text (949) 573-4624 Email for a Confidential Consult