Chloe Seaman

A Reporter's Two-Year Legal Battle Over Public Record Request Ends In Victory

Chloe Seaman

October 19, 2018

Portland, Oregon-based reporter Beth Slovic never imagined that a simple request for public records would lead to a lengthy legal battle. In November 2016, Slovic, who was working as a freelance journalist, asked Portland Public Schools to provide a list of employees who were currently on paid administrative leave. She often requested and received this type of information, but this particular request was summarily denied. A similar request by PPS parent and Oregon Board of Education member Kim Sordyl was also rejected.

After 27 Years, An Innocent Man’s Murder Conviction Has Been Vacated

Chloe Seaman

November 15, 2018

Valentino Dixon lost 27 years of his life. Perhaps it’s best described as years stolen from him by a system that, in his case, proved to be broken. In 1991, 17-year-old Torriano Jackson was murdered. Dixon didn’t do it, but he was found guilty and sentenced to 39 years to life in prison. Recently, though, his murder charge was vacated, thanks to a reopened investigation inspired by an unlikely source: Golf Digest magazine.

Does Crime Spike On Halloween? Tips For Protecting Your Trick-Or-Treaters

Chloe Seaman

October 30, 2018

Halloween is upon us, and your neighborhood will soon be overrun by tiny princesses, ghosts, superheroes, and slasher film characters looking for candy. No matter how cute those Halloween trick-or-treaters are, you might be wondering what tricks some criminals may have up their sleeve during this holiday. After all, Halloween gets a bad rap for being a time when mischief and crime spikes. Despite the (understandable) belief that criminals take advantage of this spooky holiday, many communities may be safer on Halloween, thanks to neighborhood watch programs that ramp up their efforts on All Hallows Eve.

Holiday Season Identity Theft: How to Protect Yourself

Chloe Seaman

November 14, 2018

As the holiday season approaches this year, you might be feeling a bit wary of using your credit or debit card at certain retailers who have had data breaches in the past. You’re not alone. In fact, the majority of Americans (75 percent) say they are at least somewhat, if not very, concerned about the potential of a similar occurrence. The main reason to be concerned about a data breach of your financial information is the threat of identity theft.

Multiple Local Women Scammed By The Same Online Romeo

Chloe Seaman

November 1, 2018

Recently, online dating turned to financial disaster for several women in the Midwest when they were duped by the same man. One woman in Ohio contacted local police when she was tricked into sending thousands of dollars to a man she met online. Another woman in Indiana was targeted by the same man, it seems, on OurTime, an online dating website for older single men and women. While one woman only lost $1,000 to this man who claimed to be a German citizen working in Dubai, the other secured a $30,000 loan to send.

Should Lottery Winner Information Be Public?

Chloe Seaman

October 24, 2018

If you won the lottery, would you want everyone to know who you were? As of this morning, one lucky South Carolina resident just became the sole winner of the $1.537 billion Mega Millions jackpot – the largest lottery prize in U.S. history. The winner hasn’t been publicly named at this time, and because they live in a state that allows lottery winners to remain anonymous, they can keep it that way if they so choose.

Voter Registration Data: What's In The Public Record?

Chloe Seaman

October 26, 2018

Election Day is just around the corner, and everywhere you turn, various organizations, committees, and individuals are urging Americans to register to vote. When you register with your local district as a voter, that information becomes part of the public record. But what exactly can someone see if they request to see your voter registration record? Is it just your name? Your birthdate and home address? Your voting history? Here’s a look at what does and doesn’t typically become part of the public record when you register to vote.

What Does An FBI Background Check Entail?

Chloe Seaman

November 7, 2018

News online, in print, and cable networks kept a close eye on Brett Kavanaugh, the now-appointed Supreme Court Judge, during the recent public hearings on his nomination. Although news mostly centered on sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh, many agencies were also focused on the Federal Bureau of Investigation background checks that were run on him. After six FBI background checks of Kavanaugh, there was still demand for one more following his September hearing.

What Is A Non-Disclosure Agreement?

Chloe Seaman

November 8, 2018

In an effort to keep the goings-on at the White House hush-hush, it’s alleged that President Donald Trump insisted all staff sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). These documents are meant to keep former and current staff members from sharing details of anything and everything that happens during their tenure, but NDAs can’t always keep someone from spilling secrets, especially if such secrets relate to matters benefitting from whistleblower protection. In August 2018, Omarosa Manigault Newman revealed in a book that Trump offered her a high-paying job as a senior adviser, but it came with an ironclad NDA that he required her to sign.

What Is The Dark Web And How Do I Access It?

Chloe Seaman

November 9, 2018

Most people have heard of the dark web, but many don’t fully understand what it is, how information gets there, or how to access it. Even if you’ve never browsed the dark web, it is something that the average person should care about. Increasingly frequent corporate data breaches expose millions of people’s personal information; the dark web is where all of that stolen information goes, and your private data may be being bought and sold for just a few dollars.

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Chloe Seaman

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