Ruth Teichroeb of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer studied university job records and found that Terry Tafoya, known across North America as a pre-eminent American Indian psychologist and a sought-after speaker for continuing education at schools such as Harvard University, "has scripted his own life, embellishing his academic credentials and past." The tribe he claims to be a member of says he is not enrolled with them. A speakers' bureau that books his appearances "recommends Tafoya as an expert on mental health and substance abuse issues — apparently unaware that Tafoya was charged in January with drunken driving after he smashed into two ... Read more ...

Mc Nelly Torres and Jeremy Milarsky of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel analyzed the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data for 2000-04 and found that "blacks and Hispanics who have applied for conventional mortgage loans in South Florida were denied more often than white applicants, even when income levels were about the same." The analysis also showed that when people of color were approved for loans they tended to pay higher interest rates than whites. Homeownership among minorities is at an all-time high nationwide, but minorities continue to struggle.

In an 11-part series, Anna Werner of KPIX-San Francisco analyzed national transplant data and found serious questions about the kidney transplant program at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco. "Kaiser's transplant program was set up poorly and still today is disorganized" and many patients were left waiting. Numerous accusations of disorganization and delays had have affected patients' health. State regulators launched an investigation into Kaiser Permanente's kidney transplant program. The complete 11-part series began May 2.

Darren Barbee of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram analyzed state records and found the proceeds of bingo games were going to the people running the games instead of benefiting the charities they were supposed to help. "No bingo proceeds were reported being spent by more than 40 Texas groups conducting bingo last year, though they raised about $11.5 million." The investigation also found that the state was the ultimate enforcer, but to some extent, charities were supposed to watch their own backs.

Michael J. Goodman and William C. Rempel of the Los Angeles Times analyzed court and campaign records and found that in Las Vegas, "some judges routinely rule in cases involving friends, former clients and business associates — and in favor of lawyers who fill their campaign coffers." Federal and Nevada judicial canons say judges should withdraw from cases where their impartiality might reasonably be questioned. Some lawyers even "spoke openly about its pernicious effects — particularly about how lawyers and their clients sometimes must pay to play on a level field."

Jack Dolan and Scott Hiaasen of The Miami Herald reviewed the fire department records and found that Miami-Dade County had a special program — "'fire watch,' an ostensible public safety program that has never saved a life that anyone can remember, but has put at least $4.3 million into county firefighters' pockets since 2000. " It required building owners to hire county firefighters to stand on ''fire watch'' at extremely high rates. The program also required large venues that host public performances to pay the department for fire protection and paramedic services. "Some big events get extraordinary attention from the county ... Read more ...

Tony Rizzo and Laura Bauer of The Kansas City Star studied court records and found that "roughly three in 10 sex offenders did not live where they were supposed to." Additionally, "Many of the missing were the kinds of sex offenders parents most fear. Rapists. Child molesters. Repeat offenders. " There are offenders who readily and repeatedly ignore registration laws and evade authorities. The investigation also found that children remain vulnerable in Missouri, where 1,000-foot residency restrictions became law nearly two years ago. "Hundreds of offenders in Jackson County alone live closer than that to a school or day care ... Read more ...

Gregory Korte of The Cincinnati Enquirer analyzed weekly billing statements and found that the brother of Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory billed a federal anti-poverty program for working to bring a controversial social services center to the West End. "Dale Mallory, the West End Community Council

Joel Grover and Matt Goldberg of KNBC-Los Angeles used test cars with hidden cameras to show the apparent scheme at car repair stores: charging customers for the work they never even done. "'Does this happen to customers a lot?' NBC4's Joel Grover asked a former employee of America's biggest Lube and tune chain, Jiffy Lube. 'Every day,' the insider replied. "

John Ferro of the Poughkeepsie Journal analyzed the Coast Guard's recreational boating accident database and found that "the rate of boating accidents in New York involving operators who never received any kind of formal safety training has consistently exceeded the national average." In 2004, the rate was 57 percent, the highest since 1996. New York's rate is well above the national rate, which has declined steadily. Overall, the number of boating accidents and deaths is declining, both across the country and in New York. Read more stories about boating safety: Being informed benefits boaters and Bills seek stricter ... Read more ...