The Lisa McPherson Files - Investigative Report, Craig Burton
This is an
investigative report regarding Craig Burton, a co-worker of Lisa McPherson's at
AMC Publishing.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT
This investigative report is regarding investigative assistance provided by the Florida Department
of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to the Clearwater Police Department (CPD) who are investigating the
suspicious death of LISA McPHERSON W/F 02/10/1959.
On Monday 10 March 1997 at approximately 1410 hours Detective (Det.) Jorge Carrasquillo and
Special Agent (SA) Sharon L. Feola conducted an interview with AMC Publishing Company
employee, Craig BURTON.
On 25 February 1997 an attempt was made by investigators to interview CRAIG BURTON.
BURTON indicated BURTON wished to cooperate with the investigation but was told an AMC
Corporate Attorney would be representing BURTON prior to him speaking with investigators.
BURTON was unable to provide the name of the individual representing him.
On 28 February 1997 SA Feola spoke with Mr. Ronald Cacciatore who advised SA Feola he
(Cacciatore) was retained by AMC Publishing Company to represent all past, present and future
employees regarding this investigation. Cacciatore stated when he received a list of AMC
Publishing and interviewed prospective clients Cacciatore would contact SA Feola to schedule
the requested interviews.
On 5 March 1997 SA FEOLA spoke with Mr. Cacciatore who advised he will be representing the
following individuals associated with AMC Publishing Company:
T.C. Applebaum Craig Burton Nolan & DeeDee Cage
Tommy Beilhart Katie Chamberlain Gloria Cruz
Ray & Cathy Hemphill Brenda Hubert Larry Spencer
Peggy Kern Mallory Pasco Brian Rakestraw
Franz Reiter Jeff Schaffner David & Benetta Slaughter
Steve & Carol South
Office: Tampa Author: Sharon L. Feola Review
Date(s) of Activity: 03/10/1997 Author
Date Dictated: N/A Case Agt
Date Word Processed: 03/11/1997 SAS
Word Processed By: slf
Case Number: CL-01-0002 Serial#: 22 Documt-1A: 16
THIS REPORT IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE AGENCY TO WHICH IT WAS DISSEMINATED AND
MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS EITHER PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL AND EXEMPT FROM
DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. ITS CONTENTS ARE NOT TO BE DISTRIBUTED OUTSIDE YOUR
AGENCY.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT
On 10 March 1997 Craig Burton responded to the Clearwater Police Department with his
attorney, Mr. Ronald Cacciatore. The interview was audio taped by SA Feola and Mr. Cacciatore.
Prior to the start of the interview CRAIG BURTON was sworn in by SA Feola.
In substance, CRAIG BURTON, made the following statement:
CRAIG BURTON stated he relocated from Dallas, Texas to Clearwater, Florida and began
working for AMC Publishing in January of 1994. BURTON stated although BURTON did not work
for AMC Publishing in Dallas, Texas the BURTONs were acquaintanced with McPHERSON via
the Church of Scientology in both Texas and California. BURTON stated he was trained by
McPHERSON in the Sales Department and is currently the Senior Sales Supervisor at AMC.
BURTON worked directly with McPHERSON until the time of her death in December of 1995.
BURTON stated McPHERSON was the best sales person at the company and was a real go-
getter.
BURTON recalled McPHERSON's leave of absence during the summer of 1995 but did not know
the circumstance surrounding same. BURTON indicated McPHERSON was suffering from some
emotional problems. BURTON believed she took a leave from AMC Publishing to obtain
intensive counseling, i.e., auditing from the Church. BURTON did not know the specifics of the
leave of absence.
BURTON confirmed the fact that McPHERSON's sales were down during 1995 and indicated she
(McPHERSON) was not doing the super stellar sales she had done in the past.
BURTON stated he was unaware of the reasons why Gloria Cruz moved in with McPHERSON.
BURTON stated David Slaughter told him of Lisa's death while he was at work. Slaughter told
BURTON McPHERSON died of a staph infection which developed suddenly, within a day or two,
resulting in an embolism in the leg, traveling to the heart. BURTON stated he had knowledge
LISA was staying at the Fort Harrison during the time frame, 18 November to 5 December 1995,
when all of this was occurring. BURTON stated the last contact he had with McPHERSON, prior
to her death, was on the Friday (November 17th) at the insurance convention in Orlando, Florida.
BURTON stated he is not aware of any individuals who had contact with McPHERSON during her
stay at the Fort Harrison.
BURTON recalled he did not have any first hand knowledge of the accident in which
McPHERSON was involved but learned of the accident and subsequent odd behavior from
Brenda Hubert. BURTON stated Brenda told him McPHERSON walked down the street naked.
Case Number: CL-O1-0002 Serial#: 22 Documt-1A: 16
Page 2
This confidential document is the property of FDLE.
Its contents are not to be distributed outside of your agency.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT
BURTON stated he has heard about the introspective rundown but does not have any information
concerning same. BURTON recalled being concerned about McPHERSON as she had been
acting unusual over the past several months.
SA Feola asked BURTON about any written reports he may have submitted regarding
McPHERSON, specifically about McPHERSON's behavior while attending the Insurance
Conference in Orlando, Florida. BURTON initially began to deny any written correspondence
about McPHERSON. After a brief conference with Attorney Cacciatore, BURTON recalled he did,
in fact, write a written report. The nine page written report was reviewed by BURTON who read
the report owing to poor penmanship. BURTON stated he was requested to write a report by
Brenda Hubert and it was submitted to someone at the 210 S. Fort Harrison location. BURTON
could not recall the individual in which the report was submitted. BURTON stated he wrote the
report owing to the odd behavior exhibited by McPHERSON which was observed by several
individuals, (Brenda Hubert, Craig Burton, Brian Rakestraw and Benetta Slaughter) who attended
the conference. BURTON stated Franz Reiter may also have been present as Reiter attended
the conference for a short period with Benetta Slaughter. All concerned parties reviewed the
statement previously written by BURTON and the contents contained therein. BURTON verified
he was the author of the report furnished via a subpoena by the Church of Scientology. It was
brought to BURTON's attention that page number eight was missing from his report. BURTON
could not recall where or if a page number eight (which is missing) was written. BURTON stated
he could not recall whether there was a page eight or not.
BURTON stated it is church policy that others would have written a report as a basic premise of
the Church of Scientology is the statement, If it's not written, it's not the truth. BURTON stated
he was certain that Hubert wrote a report but does not recall ever reading the report.
This concludes the investigative interview with CRAIG BURTON and clears lead #50.
The following items will be maintained in the 1A section of the case file:
I) Original audio tape and transcript of interview with Craig Burton.
Case Number: CL-01-0002 Serial#: 22 Documt-IA: 16
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This confidential document is the property of FDLE.
Its contents are not to be distributed outside of your agency.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
INVESTIGATIVE REPORT
SUBJECT DATA
Persons:
BURTON, GENE CRAIG Airs#00516462
W/M
DOB/ X/1954
ADD/
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA
TX/ X
0CC/ AMC PUBLISHING COMPANY EMPLOYEE
McPHERSON, LISA (Deceased) Airs#00501132
Business:
AMC PUBLISHING CO. Airs#00512670
Case Number: CL-01-0002 Serial#: 22 Documt-1A: 16
Page 4
This confidential document is the property of FDLE.
Its contents are not to be distributed outside of your agency.