Capsicum Group, LLC, is a technology and consulting company devoted to helping businesses improve operations and successfully complete technology-related projects. We combine business and technology insights to make the most of your investments. Capsicum Group has been at the forefront of technology consulting to the legal community and its clients with its practice focused on various disciplines including: digital forensics, data recovery, electronic discovery, disaster planning and business continuity, regulatory compliance, privacy and security, risk management and technology delivery. The leaders of Capsicum Group have a wealth of experience in managerial and executive positions for leading technology-related companies.

Samuel (Sandy) Goldstein   President & CEO
Samuel (Sandy) Goldstein has over 20 years experience with providing clients with a business perspective on technology related matters. He provides technological vision, management and leadership in developing, and implementing business initiatives for constantly changing and intensely competitive companies. In assisting clients, Sandy shares his experience and knowledge of the following fields: strategic business planning, technology and platform evaluations, outsourcing decisions, operational support, professional project management, disaster recovery and business resumption, effective use of resources, standards, policies, budget and financial planning, process/industry best practices, and advancement of technological initiatives (i.e. e-business, wireless, and robotics). Sandy has published articles and given presentations on e-business, business process, engineering, emerging technologies and business strategies, software development, and human resource systems. He received a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 1981 and an MBA in computer information systems in 1984 from the University of Miami, where he serves as a member of its President’s Council.

Dmitry Akselrod
Dmitry Akselrod leads Capsicum's Magnetic Tape Media recovery and restoration services, and is part of Capsicum's Electronic Discovery team. Dmitry has worked on numerous security audits, focusing on penetration tests and Windows security. He also has extensive experience managing various e-mail, database, and network infrastructures. He is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, specializing in Security.  Dmitry utilizes this experience during countless server, network data and email acquisitions.  Prior to working at Capsicum, Dmitry served as Manager of Information Systems at Daroff Design, where he orchestrated several network upgrades and migrations, managed the company's network, evaluated and fulfilled the firm's technology requirements, and developed custom software and services. His experience includes the following: numerous tape hardware and software technologies, network and e-mail administration, design and implementation of security and anti-virus strategies, small business data and telephone communications network design, digital forensics and data recovery, software development, disaster recovery and planning, and small business technology consultation. Dmitry attended the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky and DeAnze College in Cupertino, California. 

Gerald M. Blaesing
Gerald M. Blaesing provides clients with a business perspective on technology matters. With more than 25 years of experience working as a consultant followed by a position as senior executive for KPMG Peat Marwick/Bearing Point Inc., Gerald has worked with many of the world’s leading companies in several areas of the enterprise through the implementation of applications and technology. Gerald assists clients with the following: technology strategies and development, outsourcing services, compliance consulting, negotiation services, business assessment, aggregation strategies, support strategies, and vendor selection. Also, Gerald gives clients assistance with technology support and consulting, digital forensics, HIPAA and regulatory compliance, due diligence, and process engineering. Gerald graduated from Northern Illinois University in December of 1981 with a B.A. in Computer Science and a B.S. in Marketing.

James B. Cadden
James B. Cadden has over 17 years of Law Enforcement experience, with more than 13 of those years spent investigating computer based crimes and incidents. He provides computer forensics, digital investigations, expert testimony and data recovery services to Capsicum clients. James is an acknowledged expert in digital forensics by the federal civil courts of California, New York and Philadelphia, and has served as a “third party expert” in numerous state and federal civil cases. James has also served as a trusted forensic examiner in civil cases involving Hollywood celebrities. His cetifications include: Certified Information Forensics Investigator, Certified Computer Examiner, P2 Forensic Examiner, PDA and cell phone examiner. James has conducted large scale computer forensic investigations/civil production in Europe & Canada, and has conducted over 100 forensic examinations of PDAs and similar devices. James has recovered data from hundreds of corporate and personal hard drives, large network servers, and removable storage, including incidents such as water and fire damage. He has designed and constructed four separate computer forensic laboratories, as well as digital evidence storage and handling facilities. Additionally, James designed and managed secure networks and records databases for several police departments in Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Capsicum Group, James Cadden served as a Pennsylvania Police Officer for over a decade. While serving as a Police Officer, James ascended through the ranks to the position of ‘Detective Lieutenant.’ During his commission of public service, James investigated many computer based crimes and ‘risk management/employee computer abuse’ cases, including hacker intrusion into government servers. James has been decorated several times for his service in police work and continues to actively support the Law Enforcement & Government communities.

Brian J. Halpin
Brian J Halpin, former Special Agent for the FBI and Computer Analysis Response Team (CART), received extensive experience and training in forensic examinations and analysis of micro computer systems. Brian has over 14 years of law enforcement, legal and investigative experience.  Brian has conducted forensic examinations for cases involving terrorism, espionage, computer crimes, public corruption, and white-collar crime. He was assigned a number of internet/computer investigations regarding national security and conducted sensitive interviews at the White House – Offices of the US Vice President, US Senate, the Department of Energy, the Federal Trade Commission, the US State Department, the National Reconnaissance Office, and the CIA. Brian’s FBI international investigations included the 1998 American Embassy bombing in Kenya (Recipient of the FBI Superior Service Award) and the World Trade Center/Pentagon investigation of September 11, 2001. In the private sector, Brian served as a Computer Forensics Specialist at Kroll Ontrack, Inc. He conducted computer forensic examinations of digital media (desktops, laptops, PDAs and server platforms) from the preservation and acquisition of the media, to the recovery of data to be analyzed during the course of a computer forensic investigation, and final reporting. He has provided testimony and investigative support as needed on various projects. Brian assisted in standardizing the internal computer forensic procedures by further developing and organizing Standard Operating Procedures that were in compliance with the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors. Brian Halpin received his B.A. in Business Administration from Seton Hall University in 1989 and a J.D. from Temple University School of Law in 1992. Subsequently Brian was admitted to the New Jersey and Pennsylvania State Bars in 1992 and the U.S. Supreme Court in 1996. Brian was certified by the FBI as a Computer Forensic Examiner.  He earned a CFCE certification from the International Association for Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS) and an EnCE certification from Guidance Software (EnCase). Brian is also a member of the following: International Association for Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS), High Technology Crime Investigator’s Association – Northeast Chapter (HTCIA), and Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.

Jason Rappoport
Jason Rappoport, a lead examiner on over 200 computer forensic cases, is responsible for managing and coordinating various projects, software development teams, disaster recovery, and technology implementation. With his experience in a variety of hardware and software environments, Jason facilitates his hands-on implementation services to Capsicum’s clients. Jason has worked on numerous HIPAA Compliance Audits and has been a testifying witness for computer forensic cases. Jason’s experience includes: network infrastructure design, management of sophisticated technology, disaster recovery planning, network penetration & security audits, anti-virus & anti-attack planning, digital forensics & data recovery, database design & management, contract negotiations, and MIS reporting. His professional organizations and certifications include: CCE (Certified Computer Examiner), HTCIA (High Technology Crime Investigation Association), IISFA (International Information Systems Forensics Association). Jason was also involved in serving as the Director of Information Services, managing web farms, and networking for both internal and multiple national locations. He received his BA in Business Administration from Franklin & Marshall College, and also studied at Penn State University & Trinity School in NYC.

Matthew J. St. Jean
Matt St. Jean has over 12 years of law enforcement experience. He served from 2002 through 2007 as a Federal Agent, and former Special Agent for the Department of Homeland Security, ICE (formerly the US Customs Service).  From 1995 until 2002 Matt was a Special Agent for the IRS – Criminal Investigation Division, specializing in financial and tax related white collar crimes. From 2003 until 2007, Matt was a fulltime Computer Forensic Agent (CFA) with ICE and during his tenure, he conducted over 350 computer forensic examinations on devices including: servers, computers, laptops, cell phones, PDAs, and various types of digital media.  Matt has conducted examinations for cases involving terrorism, espionage, computer crimes, narcotics, money laundering, document fraud, identity fraud, strategic/controlled arms and technology export violations, child pornography, import/export violations, intellectual property rights violations, internet hacking, murder, extortion, and various immigration violations. Matt has testified in Federal Court on several occasions, including a joint ICE - FBI investigation of a child molester who was on America’s Most Wanted list.  His testimony in the trial resulted in a guilty conviction and a subsequent Mandatory Life Sentence for the offender. Matt graduated from Western Maryland College in 1995 with a B.A. in Business Administration.  He is a member of the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS) and holds the following certifications:  IACIS:  Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE), IACIS: Certified Electronic Evidence Collection Specialist (CEECS), and Comp-Tia A+.

Kristen Waters
Kristen Waters, a computer forensic analyst, has extensive experience in the investigative field.  After graduating in 2004 from Monmouth University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, she worked for the Intelligence Group in Bedminster, NJ where she was involved in investigative research and analysis tasks related to commercial litigation and internal/external investigations including toxic tort claims, environmental liability, employee investigations and business intelligence, as well as various computer forensic investigations. At Capsicum, she currently assists with computer forensics, digital investigation services and electronic discovery cases.  Kristen is also a member of the High Technology Crime Investigator’s Association – Northeast Chapter (HTCIA).

W. Scott Phillips
Scott Phillips has over 31 years of law enforcement experience. He served from 1989 through 2007 as a Federal Agent, and former Special Agent for the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (formerly the U.S. Customs Service). Scott also served with the U.S. Department of the Interior, and in state and county law enforcement in Florida. From 2001 until 2006, Scott was a fulltime Computer Forensic Examiner with ICE and during his tenure, conducted over 265 computer forensic examinations. Scott has conducted examinations for cases involving terrorist threats, computer crimes, murder, narcotics, money laundering, document fraud, auto theft, child pornography and child exploitation. Scott served over four years as the lead examiner for the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force based in Broward County, Florida. Scott has testified extensively in Federal Courts and in state courts throughout Florida, and he has been certified as an expert in Federal Court in the field of Computer Forensics. Scott has served as part of a selection committee for forensic examiner candidates, developed forensic laboratory standards and practices, and served on a committee for recommendations and purchasing of computer forensic hardware and equipment for the ICAC Task Force. Most recently, Scott has served as an instructor in computer forensics, cyber crimes, child pornography and other basic programs at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.