” I have known Bert Porter for over nine years. He was suggested to me by a Los Angeles City Attorney. I was working on a reality show which needed some expertise of obtaining information. When I interviewed him, he was a wealth of information and knowledge. He not only observes what happens in the present but also assisted me with several legal scenarios which would have left me civilly liable. He is a great person and resource. If anyone needed an attack dog of a private investigator, I always recommend Bert Porter. He has more resources than any other Private Investigator that I know. He has accurate, extensive and timely information. He will always keep you updated with information and reports. I can not say enough about his professionalism when it comes to investigating.”

L. McCullough, (L.A.S.D.) Los Angeles Sheriff Department

I have known Bert Porter for over 17 years. Mr. Porter started working as a contract investigator for the City of Compton City Attorney’s office where I was the City’s Risk Manager. Under my direction, Mr. Porter conducted various aspects of investigations involving worker’s compensation and liability claims. He also conducted investigations for the City Attorney and City Manager’s office. His assignments included conducting neighborhood canvasses, inspecting and obtaining photographs of incident and/or accident locations. He was very adept at locating missing witnesses.

Mr. Porter was also conducted investigations involving the City of Compton Police Department. He handled claims filed against the City’s police officers as well as officer involved shootings during the time when Compton had its own police department.

He was also assigned cases involving personnel issues of City employees and many cases for the City of Compton Fire Department.

During the time I have known Bert Porter he has always been professional, committed, through and diligent in his efforts as a private investigator. His efforts substantially reduced the City’s financial exposure. I would highly recommend him

Charles Evans, City of Compton, City Manager (Retired)

 

 Bert Porter has worked for the City Attorney’s Office for about 8 years as a contract investigator. During the course of his investigation he has investigated high-profile-media officer involved shootings (O.I.S.). He has developed excellent skills in locating witnesses and obtaining their cooperation in providing crucial information in helping our office with settling cases. He has also conducted investigation involving our police department with administration matters. He has conducted investigation involving our City H.R. department, AOE/COE claims, backgrounds investigations, and claims file against the city.

Cal P. Saunders, City Attorney

 

I am a long-time criminal trial lawyer.  I was introduced to Bert Porter years ago through the family of a client facing a third-strike robbery charge in Downtown LA. Having had the opportunity to observe Bert in action as a PI, and to work with him in the course of investigating and assisting with the robbery charge, I discovered a consummate, thorough and effective professional with whom I not only would remain friends for years to come, but with whom I would develop an ongoing working relationship (as I came to recommend client after client on subsequent cases to retain Bert as part of our defense team).

One especially memorable case involved the drive-by shooting of an 18-year-old bicyclist (Lionel Lanuza) in a South Central LA neighborhood.  The territory also was the subject of an ongoing turf war between rival criminal street gangs.  Intense police investigation over the course of several years produced 2 eye-witnesses who (in multiple interviews) named my client Robert O. as the shooter.  Both witnesses claimed to have recognized Robert, who used to live in the same neighborhood as the shooting where he allegedly had developed a reputation as a hardcore gangbanger.  Combined with Robert’s lengthy admissions to police regarding his involvement with the shooter’s gang over the past 15 years, photos of tattoos and of other fellow-gangmembers in his cell phone throwing up “gang signs”, and tattoos on his body, police found probable cause to arrest Robert and charge him with Lanuza’s murder.

The LA County District Attorney’s Office filed charges of First Degree Murder with Gang and Firearm enhancements, exposing Robert O. to a potential sentence of Life Without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP), the harshest punishment available under the law short of the death penalty.  I took the case on shortly after the defendant’s arrest, and spent the better part of a year meticulously preparing to do battle with the DA’s office at trial.  Naturally, we brought Bert Porter on board as PI, for the purpose of canvassing the area for information from neighbors (who were inherently wary of involving themselves in gang-related disputes and thus extraordinarily reluctant to cooperate).  We also had Bert survey the scene of the shooting, establish and measure the lines-of-sight, and photograph the various witness’, victim’s and alleged perpetrator’s respective (alleged) positions.

During a 10 day trial in March of 2010, and with the critical assistance of Bert’s lengthy courtroom testimony regarding the findings and products of his investigation, we took the DA’s case apart piece by piece, shedding light on all the inconsistencies among the witnesses statements, as well as internal logic problems within the statements themselves (including physical descriptors of the shooter given by the witnesses that Robert O. simply did not possess, and line-of-sight issues with the female “eye-witness” leaving the jury to wonder if she could possibly even have observed what she had claimed to police).

After spending nearly 400 days behind bars, and away from his wife and children (all of whom watched the end of the trial and sat in court for the verdict), the jury came back with a “Not Guilty” verdict acquitting Robert O. of all counts.  Both myself and my client’s family knew that we couldn’t have done it without Bert’s dogged persistence, his attention to detail and the quality of his forensic presentation.

Tal K. Wolf, Esq.

 

It is with great pleasure that I recommend the services of Bert Porter. As a retired Pasadena assistant city prosecutor I worked with Bert on a case involving a school district employee (H.S. teacher). Bert was very efficient in obtaining vital evidence for my case that went to trial. I would highly recommend his services if you want professionalism at its best

Yvette M., Pasadena City Attorney, prosecutor (retired)

I have worked with Bert Porter on investigations many in Southern California, I have found him to be an excellent investigator, very thorough, tenacious and committed to his assignments.

Harry Ozene, L.A.P.D., homicide detective (retired)

 

Bert Porter and I have worked together on six media high-profile Officers involved shootings (O.I.S.). I found him to be diligent and tenacious in conducting neighborhood canvasses and location percipient witnesses. He is very through in questioning witnesses, and prepares excellent reports.

Jim Curry, California Highway Patrol (C.H.P.), supervising investigator (retired)

 

 Bert Porter has provided investigation for our law firm for about 12 years now; he has obtained statements from numerous witnesses that were important in settling cases and obtaining judgments.

Anton Richardson, Esq.