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Private Investigations & Financial Intelligence — Florida & D.C.

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Zelaya Risk

Private Investigations, Financial Intelligence & Litigation Support

Every case is a puzzle. We're the ones who solve it.
When a scam targets you directly, a business partner disappears with company funds, a board suspects a fiduciary breach, or a legal team needs an independent investigator ahead of trial, the response can't wait for a generalist. We conduct independent, defensible investigations across fraud, financial crime, and litigation support — for individuals, small businesses, and institutions who need real answers, not a canned report.

CIFI Certified (IASIU)  ·  Licensed Florida Private Investigator  ·  Former Law Enforcement  ·  Agency Lic. A3200097

Background & Approach

Zelaya Risk was built on a foundation in law enforcement, including corrections and specialized gang unit work, before moving into financial and corporate investigations full time. That background shapes how we approach every engagement: methodical, evidence-first, and built to hold up under scrutiny. Our lead investigator holds a Certified Insurance Fraud Investigator (CIFI) credential through IASIU and has direct experience with how financial schemes are built, concealed, and unwound.

Our casework spans both ends of that scale, including a full lifestyle and financial audit of the board behind the Grand Palisades resort ownership scheme, and an independent public corruption investigation into the Seminole County Tax Collector's office. What connects those cases is the same discipline we bring to every engagement: verify, document, and build a record that holds up whether it's reviewed internally, by a regulator, or in court.

We work as an extension of outside counsel and internal leadership, not a replacement for either. Zelaya Risk does not provide legal advice or representation.

Where We Work

From individual matters to complex institutional cases, here's where our casework concentrates. If your situation falls outside these categories, reach out directly — we take on complex matters that don't fit a standard description.

I

Litigation Support — Civil & Criminal

Independent evidence gathering, case investigation, and expert witness support for civil and criminal litigation, working alongside trial counsel from pre-suit investigation through trial.

II

Bribery & Public Corruption Investigations

Independent fact-finding for allegations involving public officials, government contracts, or improper payments, conducted to support counsel and internal review.

III

Corporate Matters with National Security Implications

Discreet investigative support for cross-border ownership questions, regulatory exposure, and sensitive corporate matters that require careful handling.

IV

Executive, Board & Association Fiduciary Duty

Independent review of executive, board, and community association conduct, self-dealing, and decision-making, for corporate boards, shareholders, and property owners who need answers before they need litigation.

V

Data Breaches & Cybersecurity Threats

Investigative support following a breach: how it happened, who's responsible, and what the actual exposure looks like.

VI

Employee Investigations

Independent, defensible investigations into harassment, wrongful termination, and internal fraud claims, documented the way outside counsel expects.

VII

Federal Crime Prevention & Defense

Investigative support for fraud, tax, and other white-collar allegations, working alongside defense counsel to build the factual record.

VIII

Financial & Accounting Fraud Investigations

Tracing the money: fabricated books, diverted funds, and schemes a standard audit alone won't catch.

IX

Civil Racketeering (RICO) & Complex Fraud

Field investigation and evidentiary support for civil RICO litigation and complex, multi-party fraud schemes, whether you're building a case or defending against one.

X

Intellectual Property Theft, Counterfeiting & Infringement

Identifying the source, scope, and proof behind stolen IP, counterfeit goods, or infringement claims.

XI

Libel, Slander & Online Reputation Damage

Identifying who is actually behind coordinated reputational attacks, and documenting it for legal action.

XII

Shareholder Derivative Claims

Independent fact investigation supporting derivative claims, from initial allegations through litigation.

XIII

Insurance Claims & SIU Consulting

Independent claims review and ongoing SIU consulting for carriers, MGAs, and self-insured businesses, drawing on CIFI credentials to dissect staged losses and organized fraud schemes.

XIV

Asset & Financial Searches

Locating hidden accounts, property, and undisclosed assets in business disputes, partnership dissolutions, and civil litigation, providing counsel a paper trail they can act on.

XV

Corporate Due Diligence & Background Investigations

Verified background, digital-footprint, and due diligence investigations on executives, partners, vendors, and acquisition targets, before you sign, hire, or invest.

XVI

Consumer & Everyday Fraud

When a scam, a predatory lender, or a bad actor targets you directly, most firms won't take a case this size. We will. We trace where the money went, identify who's really behind it, and build documentation you can hand to a bank, a regulator, or a courtroom.

XVII

Cold Case Accountability Reviews

This isn't a whodunit service. When a case goes cold, we review the file to determine what went wrong and who let it happen, missed leads, mishandled evidence, or a department that stopped trying. Built for families and oversight counsel seeking accountability.

Discuss a Matter

Most calls start with a straight answer about whether we're the right fit — no pressure, no retainer required to ask.

Clear proof for complex problems.
Zelaya & Associates PI
Agency License: A3200097