Secrest Wardle Executive Partner Margaret A. Scott was Presenter at IASIU, MI Chapter, Fall Seminar

Troy, MI - The International Association of Special Investigative Units, Michigan Chapter, (IASIU) held its fall seminar, “FRAUD: Is it Blue & Black, White & Gold or Just Wrong?” at the Schoolcraft College Vista Tech Center in Livonia on October 8, 2015. Margaret Scott, an Executive Partner located in Secrest Wardle’s Troy office, presented “Auto Insurance Claim Investigations,” describing auto theft-related insurance fraud investigation techniques. During her presentation, Ms. Scott emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough investigation through the use of experts in claims involving arson and staged crashes. Ms. Scott is a member of Secrest Wardle’s Motor Vehicle Litigation, Municipal, and Property, Fire and Casualty Practice Groups.

IASIU is a non-profit organization of insurance fraud investigators, law enforcement agents, and insurance professionals dedicated to combating insurance fraud. The organization’s mission is carried out through its efforts to provide comprehensive training to the insurance and law enforcement industries, through creating greater awareness of the insurance fraud problem and by supporting anti-fraud legislation. For information regarding the Michigan Chapter of IASIU, please visit http://bit.ly/1RvY1MY.

Melissa Comini, of AAA Michigan, attended the seminar and had the following comments regarding Ms. Scott’s presentation:

“Margaret Scott is well-versed in her subject matter. She is recognized as an expert and dedicated advocate in this area of the law. Her presentation was engaging and provided pertinent information. I recommend attending the IASIU MI Chapter seminars. I find I always leave the seminars with useful take-away information.”

Margaret Scott served as an Oakland County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney from 1988 to 2008. The majority of her career at the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office was spent as a Special Prosecutor, where she was elevated to the office of Chief of the Auto Theft Unit in 1996. As a felony trial prosecutor, Ms. Scott prosecuted crimes involving insurance fraud, identity theft, embezzlement, and arson of insured property. During her time with the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office she successfully prosecuted nearly 100% of the cases assigned to the Auto Theft Unit. Ms. Scott obtained her B.A. from Michigan State University in Criminal Justice and Psychology. She received her Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1988. Ms. Scott is licensed in all Michigan Courts.

Margaret Scott has been recognized by her peers for her dedication to the fight against auto theft and insurance fraud. She has received the Bob Sattler Award by the North Central Regional Chapter (NCRC) of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI.) She received an Award for Professional Excellence for services provided to the Michigan State Police characterized by outstanding performance of duty and a personal commitment to the excellence associated with the prosecution of a Western Wayne Auto Theft Unit Investigation. Ms. Scott is a past recipient of the William V. Liddane Award by the Help Eliminate Auto Theft (H.E.A.T.) Organization in recognition of her advocacy in reducing auto-theft related crimes in Michigan. Ms. Scott has recently been recognized among the Michigan Lawyers Weekly 2015 Class of “Women in the Law.” Honorees are recognized for the meaningful and inspiring contributions they have made to the legal community.

Ms. Scott is a member of the following associations:

· North Central Regional Chapter-International Association of Auto Theft Investigators

· Michigan Chapter-International Association of Arson Investigators

· Michigan Arson Prevention Committee

· Michigan Help Eliminate Auto Theft Committee

Secrest Wardle is a law firm specializing in defense litigation and counsel for insurance, municipal, and commercial clients headquartered in Troy, Michigan, with additional offices in Grand Rapids and Lansing. For more information please visit www.secrestwardle.com.