John W. Mazzeo, Esq., Senior Director and Associate General Counsel at i9Success, a Vertical Screen Company, recently discussed critical trends shaping the landscape of employment verification, fraud prevention, and workplace compliance with Serge Boudreau of the Purple Acorn Network.
In the interview, John provided his expert perspective on the increasing risks of employee fraud, the growing adoption of biometric identity verification technologies, and the ongoing importance of meticulous Form I-9 compliance—particularly in today’s heightened enforcement environment. Drawing on years of legal and compliance experience, John emphasized the proactive approach organizations must take to mitigate risk, noting: “The best defense is a really good offense.”
With a legal career rooted in both the public and private sectors, John leads initiatives in designing and implementing electronic Form I-9 and E-Verify solutions, along with its advanced identity verification and fingerprinting services. His work helps businesses meet stringent regulatory standards while leveraging technology to protect against fraud and mitigate risk.
John is a recognized leader in the legal community, serving as Vice-Chair of the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s Document and Verification Liaison Committee and Vice-Chair of the Association of Corporate Counsel’s Corporate and Securities Law Network. He is a frequent speaker and author on Form I-9 compliance, worksite enforcement, and identity verification, with insights featured in outlets such as Bloomberg, HR Florida Newswire, and AthleticDirectorU.
“I was thrilled to be interviewed and to share my thoughts on these evolving and increasingly complex challenges,” John said. “It’s crucial for organizations to stay ahead of fraud trends and ensure robust compliance practices are in place.”
About John W. Mazzeo, Esq.
John W. Mazzeo is a seasoned legal professional specializing in employment eligibility verification, identity verification, and fraud prevention during onboarding. At i9Success, he leads initiatives focused on electronic Form I-9 and E-Verify solutions and advanced identity verification services.
Before joining Vertical Screen, John served as Assistant Chief Counsel at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (DHS-ICE), where he was instrumental in enforcing Form I-9 compliance across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware. His collaborative work with Homeland Security Investigations and other federal agencies has shaped his deep understanding of document and benefit fraud investigations.
John holds a Juris Doctor from Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Ursinus College.
