WSVN — These days potential employers routinely run background checks on job applicants. But 7News has learned that the companies running those checks could be operated by convicted criminals. Investigative reporter Carmel Cafiero is on the case.
Frank Falowski is on probation for fraud, but he operates a Lake Worth business that does background checks on people and in the process, takes their fingerprints.
Carmel Cafiero: "Good morning, Mr. Falowski. Carmel Cafiero Channel 7. I’d like to talk to you about your new business here."
Frank Falowski: "No, I’m not going to talk to you."
Carmel Cafiero: "Why not?"
Frank Falowski: "’Cause I don’t want to."
Wayne Black: "Well, I mean, that’s a huge red flag."
Private investigator Wayne Black says the kind of information provided for a background check is sensitive and could lead to identity theft in the wrong hands.
Wayne Black: "If you’re on felony probation, it’s a matter of trust, you know? Who in their right mind would give identity information to someone that’s on felony probation? I wouldn’t. I sure wouldn’t."
In order to run fingerprints and background checks, a business can collect social security numbers, drivers licenses, passport numbers even credit card information. But the state doesn’t require any special license to access that information.
Wayne Black: "It’s a big deal to control that information."
Fingerprints taken by Falowski’s company are processed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and are used to check for criminal histories. FDLE says the owners or operators of a company submitting fingerprints are not required to have a criminal history check themselves, and Falowski does have a history.
Carmel Cafiero: "You don’t call yourself Dr. Frank?"
Falowski: "Yeah, but I don’t touch patients."
Three years ago, Falowski was on the way to jail when 7News first reported on his activities. At that time, his chiropractor’s license was revoked and he was on probation for insurance fraud. Yet he had been operating a medical clinic in Tamarac and was arrested for practicing without a license.
Stephanie Taylorson: "He would be like: ‘Hi, how are you? I’m Dr. Frank.’"
In 2012, former employees said he acted as a doctor.
Stephanie Taylorson: "I saw everything. The incidents. He draws blood. He takes X-Rays. He reads them."
Falowski spent five months in jail before being released. Today, he is on felony probation for organized fraud, practicing healthcare without a license and misrepresentation.
He came out of his office briefly but still would not talk with me.
Carmel Cafiero: "And what about your background, doesn’t that play a role in this?"
Falowski is certainly entitled to operate a business, but his customers are also entitled to know his background. Carmel Cafiero 7News.
IF YOU HAVE A STORY FOR CARMEL TO INVESTIGATE:
Miami-Dade: 305-627-CLUE
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E-mail: clue@wsvn.com
You can also send a tweet to @carmelonthecase