Landmark Legal Victory – Illinois Annulment

Ashley Wardlow made legal history by becoming the first person in the State of Illinois to successfully obtain a marriage annulment based on immigration fraud—a groundbreaking decision that has since empowered other victims of fraudulent marriages to seek justice.

Her case was far more than personal—it became a legal reference point for others who were misled, used, or emotionally manipulated by individuals seeking U.S. residency through marriage under false pretenses.

Leveraging her background as a Certified Fraud Examiner and licensed Private Investigator, Ashley played an active and strategic role in building her own case. She personally uncovered crucial evidence, tracked communications, documented behavioral patterns, and collaborated with legal counsel to ensure no detail was overlooked. Her investigative skills helped shape a winning courtroom narrative backed by facts—not just feelings.

Ashley’s legal team, paired with the powerful testimony of her expert witness, the late John Sampson—a former high-ranking immigration officer—secured the court’s rare decision to annul the marriage on the grounds of fraud.

“This wasn’t just a win for me,” Ashley says. “It was a win for every person who’s been manipulated, used, or silenced after trusting someone they thought loved them.”

Today, her case is cited in legal circles and serves as an inspiration for victims who may feel ashamed, unheard, or unsure of their legal options. Ashley continues to use her experience to help others spot red flags, gather evidence, and reclaim control—whether in or out of court.

Work With Ashley

Featured on Nancy Grace: Crime Stories

Ashley Wardlow shared her professional expertise as a private investigator on Nancy Grace: Crime Stories, lending her voice to high-profile discussions crimes. Her commentary focused on uncovering the truth behind emotionally complex crimes—using evidence to break down what most people miss.

NPR Morning Edition – Valentine’s Day Special

Ashley Wardlow was featured on NPR’s Morning Edition in a special Valentine’s Day segment titled “Move Over Cupid – Valentine’s Day is a Busy One for Private Investigators.”
In the episode, Ashley shared how suspicion peaks during holidays, with many clients requesting surveillance and background checks on romantic partners. She discussed red flags that often show up around Valentine’s Day—such as last-minute cancellations, inconsistent stories, or disappearing acts—and how PI work can expose hidden relationships, infidelity, and even identity fraud.

With her background in forensic psychology and digital forensics, Ashley brought a professional and personal lens to the growing demand for truth in modern relationships—especially when emotions and money are on the line.

“Valentine’s Day is when a lot of secrets come out,” she explained. “People want to know if they’re the only one—or one of many.”

The Carol Powell Lexing Show Podcast

In this insightful and eye-opening episode of The Carol Powell Lexing Show, Ashley Wardlow joins as a featured guest to discuss the rising threat of identity theft, especially how it intersects with everyday life, online behavior, and personal relationships.

Drawing from her expertise as a Certified Fraud Examiner, Forensic Psychology expert, and licensed Private Investigator, Ashley breaks down how identity theft occurs, who’s most at risk, and what red flags often go unnoticed until it’s too late.

She shares real-life examples from her investigations, offers practical tips on protecting your personal information, and explains how fraud isn’t just about finances—it can also impact your reputation, relationships, and legal standing.

“People think identity theft only happens through hacked credit cards. But in reality, it can be someone you know—or even someone you love—misusing your information for their gain.”

Ashley’s contribution to this episode provides listeners with both knowledge and empowerment, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to protect themselves in today’s digital and emotionally complex world.

CLE Instructor – Legal Investigations for Attorneys

Ashley Wardlow served as a featured instructor for MyLawCLE, delivering a comprehensive continuing legal education (CLE) course titled “Legal Investigations: Locating Parties, Identifying Assets, and Preparing Testimony.” Designed for attorneys and legal professionals, this CLE taught participants how to effectively incorporate investigative strategy into their cases—while maintaining legal ethics and evidentiary standards.

In this session, Ashley shared her real-world expertise as a Certified Fraud Examiner and Licensed Private Investigator, teaching attendees how to:

Strategically locate hard-to-find parties or witnesses
Uncover hidden or undisclosed assets
Conduct interviews that lead to admissible evidence
Prepare testimony in a way that strengthens credibility and case outcome
Navigate ethical boundaries in legal investigations

She also covered common missteps attorneys make when attempting to gather intelligence without professional investigative support—and how to avoid compromising evidence or client trust.

“Your case is only as strong as the facts you can prove. My job is to help attorneys uncover what others try to hide.”

Ashley’s CLE presentation combined legal insight, investigative methodology, and forensic precision, giving attorneys the tools they need to go beyond discovery and build stronger, smarter cases.