George,
They were never my client however I know people that your friend Richard screwed out of very large sums of money, and I do not believe that Express/Richard was not paid. And if they weren't getting paid why would they continue accepting work?????????
Not paying an abstractor who has done your work is CRIMINAL.

Personally I think its about time some non-payer is being investigated, its high time there was some justice done. I think a non payer shouldn't be cut any slack.

I pay my guys whether my clients pay me or not because thats the ethical thing to do. Personally I couldn't sleep at nite if I didn't.