"Do you actually get people jobs ma'am?"
"I need you to turn the camera off and step out of the office please."
"you are not going to answer any of my questions."
"no sir."
That was the exchange when NewsChannel 3 confronted VES employees inside their Norfolk office.
They wouldn't answer any of our questions, but soon they may not have a choice.
After days with victim after victim telling NewsChannel 3 how they had been scammed out of their money after VES promised them a job... State senator Ken Stolle couldn't take it anymore.
"Often times people that can least afford to be preyed on are the ones that are preyed upon. It appeared to me was inappropriate and that's about the nicest way to put it.", said Stolle.
Wanting to protect his constituents, Sen. Stolle called the Norfolk commonwealth's attorney to find out what could be done.
And that's when he learned the good news.
in response to our reports and your emails, the commonwealth's attorney has created a special crimes unit, and has assigned the Norfolk police department to look into not only Virginia employment services, but it's three previous names; VA Personnel, New Beginnings and Jobs Plus.
Sen. Stolle said, "It appeared to me that sometimes government doesn't work as well as it should and this was an opportunity to make the government work for the people."
The Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney's office will also meet with the Attorney General this week to compare evidence.
But we tried to give prosecutors a leg up on the investigation.
We emailed the attorney of VES with a list of questions... Such as how many people have you actually gotten jobs?
Why do so many of your clients claim your business is a fraud?
And why is your office manager, Crystal Harrison, still working there, even though she has been arrested five times for assault inside the office?
This was part of the written response from VES.
"Virginia Employment Services does not guarantee employment, nor does it charge the consumer for a job. Virginia Employment Services welcomes the opportunity to address any valid complaints, and will make an immediate effort to respond and resolve all legitimate concerns brought to its attention."
But this was a recent exchange on the phone with a VES saleswoman and former client Salimah Cole.
"Unfortunately ma'am, there's nothing I can do to help you resolve your issue, if you choose to renew your membership, you are more than welcome to do so, and that's a 75 dollar charge."
VES wouldn't help Salimah resolve her bill unless she paid more money to renew her membership.
That was just a week ago.
And Senator Stolle says everything he has seen so far from VES seems to be larceny by fraud. "I hope if these people have been wronged, that the state steps in and provides a remedy for them."
The Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney wants to make a decision regarding Virginia Employment Services in the next few weeks.
And it wouldn't hurt if he continues to hear from you.
If you think you've been scammed by Virginia Employment Services... Or any of the former names of the business... Just click on the link below and share your story with the agencies who have the power to get your money back.
To email Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney, CLICK HERE. To call the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney Office: (757)664-4861. For Virginia Attorney General, CLICK HERE For Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: 1-800-552-9963
That was the exchange when NewsChannel 3 confronted VES employees inside their Norfolk office.
They wouldn't answer any of our questions, but soon they may not have a choice.
After days with victim after victim telling NewsChannel 3 how they had been scammed out of their money after VES promised them a job... State senator Ken Stolle couldn't take it anymore.
"Often times people that can least afford to be preyed on are the ones that are preyed upon. It appeared to me was inappropriate and that's about the nicest way to put it.", said Stolle.
Wanting to protect his constituents, Sen. Stolle called the Norfolk commonwealth's attorney to find out what could be done.
And that's when he learned the good news.
in response to our reports and your emails, the commonwealth's attorney has created a special crimes unit, and has assigned the Norfolk police department to look into not only Virginia employment services, but it's three previous names; VA Personnel, New Beginnings and Jobs Plus.
Sen. Stolle said, "It appeared to me that sometimes government doesn't work as well as it should and this was an opportunity to make the government work for the people."
The Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney's office will also meet with the Attorney General this week to compare evidence.
But we tried to give prosecutors a leg up on the investigation.
We emailed the attorney of VES with a list of questions... Such as how many people have you actually gotten jobs?
Why do so many of your clients claim your business is a fraud?
And why is your office manager, Crystal Harrison, still working there, even though she has been arrested five times for assault inside the office?
This was part of the written response from VES.
"Virginia Employment Services does not guarantee employment, nor does it charge the consumer for a job. Virginia Employment Services welcomes the opportunity to address any valid complaints, and will make an immediate effort to respond and resolve all legitimate concerns brought to its attention."
But this was a recent exchange on the phone with a VES saleswoman and former client Salimah Cole.
"Unfortunately ma'am, there's nothing I can do to help you resolve your issue, if you choose to renew your membership, you are more than welcome to do so, and that's a 75 dollar charge."
VES wouldn't help Salimah resolve her bill unless she paid more money to renew her membership.
That was just a week ago.
And Senator Stolle says everything he has seen so far from VES seems to be larceny by fraud. "I hope if these people have been wronged, that the state steps in and provides a remedy for them."
The Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney wants to make a decision regarding Virginia Employment Services in the next few weeks.
And it wouldn't hurt if he continues to hear from you.
If you think you've been scammed by Virginia Employment Services... Or any of the former names of the business... Just click on the link below and share your story with the agencies who have the power to get your money back.
To email Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney, CLICK HERE. To call the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney Office: (757)664-4861. For Virginia Attorney General, CLICK HERE For Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: 1-800-552-9963
