Michael J. Armitage
In his ten years as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Michael Armitage’s primary focus was the investigation of financial crimes, public corruption and organized crime. He joined the FBI in 1978, assigned to the Milwaukee office, and was transferred to New York City in 1982.
In 1987, wanting to put his investigative expertise to work in the private sector, he returned to Milwaukee and founded Armitage & Associates. Armitage & Associates quickly built a client roster that included large corporations, major law firms, and the National Football League.
Today Armitage & Associates is Wisconsin’s largest investigative firm. In addition to a staff of highly skilled, experienced investigators, Michael has created a network of professional contacts that assist him in his work locally, nationally and internationally.
Mr. Armitage is affiliated with the following organizations: Advisory Committee for Froedtert Hospital; Board Member, Better Business Bureau of Milwaukee; Member, Society of Former Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Inc.; Member, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Illinois State University.
Rico Garcia
Rico Garcia has extensive experience in the technology, financial, and investigative industries. Rico spent the early part of his career in the field of Information Technology before entering the mortgage industry, where he worked in financial environments ranging from a locally-owned mortgage brokerage to a Fortune 500 company.
In early 2005, Rico joined Armitage Research as an investigator, specializing in financial and mortgage fraud. The skills he had developed in the IT field have been instrumental in bringing Armitage Research to the forefront as a leader and innovator in the use of computer technology in private investigations. His focus on financial investigations has made Rico extremely knowledgeable of the dark side of mortgage lending, leading him to help uncover numerous mortgage fraud schemes across the country and establishing him as an invaluable asset to our financial clients.
Thomas Wagner
Thomas Wagner, a certified legal investigator, has been in the investigative field since 1981. His career began in the U.S. Army, serving in the military police in West Germany and California as an Assistant Squad Leader and Patrol Supervisor. In 1984, he graduated from the U.S. Army’s Non-Commissioned Officer Academy with honors.
As an undercover agent for the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, Thomas investigated narcotic and bookmaking activities, as well as hidden ownership and race-fixing schemes across the U.S. He operated his own investigative agency for seven years before joining Armitage Research where his primary areas of expertise have been investigations involving complex litigation, product liability, asbestos-mesothelioma claims, executive background checks, and human resource matters. In addition to being particularly proficient in database and other forms of research, his interviewing skills – vitally important to most investigations – are exceptional.
Thomas is a member of the National Association of Legal Investigators and past president, founding member of the Professional Association of Wisconsin Licensed Investigators. He has been published in The Legal Investigator and The Informant.