Due Diligence Consulting (DDC) announces promotion and new hire at firm specializing in executive background checks and investment due diligence

NAPLES, Fla., June 20, 2017 -- Due Diligence Consulting (DDC), the national leader in executive background research for public companies, family offices, law firms, hedge funds and other investor groups, announces the promotion of Eric Strachan to Director of Research and welcomes national award-winning investigative reporter Gina Edwards to the firm.

Strachan, a former national award-winning journalist and the former Senior Managing Editor of the Naples Daily News, joined DDC in 2014 as a Managing Director.

“Eric’s research, editing and managerial skills are first rate,” said Peter Barakett, President of DDC. “As Director of Research, Eric is well positioned to help DDC continue to consistently deliver background checks and other research reports with a level of detail that exceeds industry standards.”

Strachan brings his background working in a fast-paced media environment to DDC where he understands the time-sensitive requirements of DDC clients who rely on fast and accurate research to meet their decision-making and risk management needs, without sacrificing research depth and accuracy. As an editor at the Naples Daily News, Strachan led the efforts of large teams and coordinated the research of diverse journalists on in-depth projects and breaking news, at times across media properties and platforms in the chain. He brings that logistical know-how to DDC where he is often called on to coordinate DDC background checks, due diligence and research efforts spanning multiple continents on a given assignment.

Edwards, a former national award-winning investigative reporter, specializes in securities fraud, public corruption and corporate crime. During her career, Edwards has uncovered fraud involving hundreds of millions of dollars related to securities, pump-and-dump market manipulation, mortgage fraud, land trusts, insurance, hedge funds, mortgage backed securities and Ponzi schemes.

“Gina’s reputation for research and investigatory excellence was well known to us,” said Peter Barakett, President of DDC. “Her experience and skills are a tremendous asset to DDC and ultimately, to our clients. We are excited to have Gina join the DDC team as a Managing Director.”

While working as a private investigator, Edwards developed key securities fraud evidence on behalf of investors involving Charles Schwab's $1.3 billion bond mutual fund that ultimately resulted in a $119 million SEC fine and restitution order. Edwards located investor victims around the country and published key investigative stories ahead of indictments in Manhattan in a $100 million mob-on-Wall Street market manipulation case.

A public corruption investigation by Edwards at the Naples Daily News ultimately led to the appointment of a special prosecutor and the arrests of 10 local elected officials and developers. She has received more than three-dozen reporting awards including from Investigative Reporters & Editors, Scripps Howard Foundation, the Society of Professional Journalists and Florida state press organizations. The Florida Press Club honored her with a First Place Freedom of Information Award in 2015 for her reporting and litigation that challenged public records fees.

About Due Diligence Consulting, LLC
DDC’s clients include Fortune 500 companies, private companies, family offices, law firms, hedge funds, private equity funds, venture capital funds, foundations, and accounting firms. Founded by Peter Barakett, formerly General Counsel and COO for Atticus Capital LLC, DDC focuses on executive background checks and investment related research and provides due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, proxy contests, litigation and special situations. DDC has a global reach, with clients around the world and decades of experience in sophisticated, detailed research in the USA as well as in foreign jurisdictions. DDC has consistently discovered information that others have missed, including numerous instances of CEOs, investment managers and public company board members misrepresenting their education or work experience. In addition, DDC has assisted its clients in avoiding Ponzi schemes and other fraudulent schemes. DDC Investigations LLC is a full service private investigation firm (License #A1300198) and an affiliate of Due Diligence Consulting, LLC.

DueDiligenceConsulting.com
Contact:  Peter Barakett, President, (239) 434-8393
Email:  [email protected]