That's a new wrinkle. I don't think that would make any difference when it comes to civil liability.
From KUSA 9:
Zack Newman is an Investigative Data Producer within 9Wants to Know, 9NEWS’ Investigative Unit, in Denver, Colorado.
Newman uses open records laws to obtain and analyze public data to identify systematic problems.
But, hes running around with a guy that he didnt know was unlicensed?
WTF
He was contracted to Pinkerton but so.far Pinkerton hasn’t revealed who he rely works for