The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "Public Development Authority" ...
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Port Authority: Battle at the Waterfront
This investigation was about lies and obfuscation, and the stakes were enormous: A mayor’s election, a growing media empire and potentially billions of dollars in development. Our reporting revealed how within months of purchasing the largest media operation in San Diego County, the new owners of U-T San Diego were using their power and status to influence -- and even threaten -- government officials into helping them realize lucrative plans for developing the downtown waterfront. It also illuminated an insidious practice suspected nationwide: use of private electronic accounts to conduct the public’s business. Our reporting defined much of the discussion around the mayor’s race in the weeks before the election. In the end, the candidate at the heart of the probed was defeated.
Tags: Mayoral election; fraud; government officials; San Diego
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"Housing Authority"
Lewis Kamb investigates the financial troubles of a Tacoma non-profit housing development group. He reveals that the Martin Luther King Housing Development Association used public money to follow "questionable development deals" and that the association itself was in a serious financial mess.
Tags: Martin Luther King Housing Development Association; Jeffery Bruce; MLK Way; Eric Anderson
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N.Y. Power Authority
The New York Power Authority provides about one-quarter of NY state's electricity needs. Although it is a branch of state government, it acts as a corporation, giving away some of its profits to pet charities of the Board and the Directors, rather than lowering utility costs to customers. Almost 200 of the NYPA's 1600 employees make more than $100,000 a year.
Tags: NY State Public Authority; NYPA; patronage; energy-efficiency programs; U.S. Olympic Committee; Olympic Regional Development Authority's Congressional Winter Challenge; ORDA; Energy Services Program; Governor Pataki
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Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority Investigation
"These stories detail a history of public contracting at the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority that is at best sloppy and at worst rife with favoritism and conflicts of interest. An audit of the authority by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development confirmed the problems with contracting practices at the authority and asked for $2 million to be repaid because the money wasn't spent properly."
Tags: housing; local government; federal government; housing; local politics; FOIA; public records; government spending
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Money for Nothing
The author investigated the South Dallas/ Fair Park Trust Fund, a city-funded entity designed to foster the growth of businesses in a part of the city that has gone into decay. The author found that the city of Dallas has spent $6 million over 15 years funding businesses that have gone bankrupt.
Tags: business; real estate; public safety; slush fund; urban development; city government
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The Final Frontier
This investigation looks into the Chicago Housing Authority and demographic changes that have occurred with the destruction of public housing. Starting with 1995, The Chicago Reporter analyzed residential property transactions and home mortgage lending data, as well as Census data to track significant racial and economic shifts over the years.
Tags: Chicago Housing Authority; public housing; real estate; home mortgage lending data; CAR; housing developments; FOIA; Census 2000
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Rapid Change
The authors analyzed home mortgage data to evaluate which areas of Chicago are growing the fastest. They found that the fastest growing housing market in Chicago exists in areas near recently torn down public housing. The authors explore this phenomenon, talk to many Chicago residents, and offer possible explanations for the increasing popularity of those neighborhoods.
Tags: housing; mortgage; data analysis; real estate; Housing and Urban Development; computer-assisted reporting; Cabrini-Green
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How Developers Cash in on Farmland; Law Fails to Save Florida Farmland; Appraisers Lax in Tax Break Scrutiny
The authors examined Florida's "Greenbelt" law, which is designed to help farmers stay in business. The authors found, though, that the law is ineffective and ends up costing local governments a lot of money. Developers use the law as a tax break, and consequently the law is "one of the weakest preservation programs in the nation."
Tags: developers; farm property; public records; FOIA; tax breaks; local government; farmers
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"Travel Costs Mount for Easton Housing Authority"
Investigation of officials at the Easton Housing Authority, the smallest of the three agencies, found that it spent more of the public's money on travel in 18 months than their counterparts combined. It was also found that commissioners stayed extra days, brought their spouses, and used credit cards issued to them to buy personal items. Further investigation lead to the resignations of commissioners and the executive director.
Tags: public housing authority; travel expenses; commissioners; Department of Housing and Urban Development; HUD
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New York Slush Funds
The three men who run New York's state government have stuck state taxpayers with more than $1 billion in debt over the last seven years for a series of secretive slush funds under their tight control. State leaders use the money to reward political friends and punish enemies. They use the money to keep rank-and-file legislators obedient. The stories show many examples of millions spent on failed or dubious projects.
Tags: taxpayers; Gov. George Pataki; Sheldon Silver; Joseph Bruno; New York City Catholic art museum; debt; Empire State Development Corp.; State of New York; New York taxpayers; Carnegie Hall; National Baseball Hall of Fame; Carrier Dome; Roswell Park Cancer Institute; Centers for Excellence; Empire Opportunity Fund; Junior Museum; capital-improvement programs; Community Enhancement Facilities Assistance Program; Strategic Investment Program; Senate Majority leader; borrowing money; legislators; public money; Kraft Foods; Guardian Industries; Canadian American Transportation Systems; Division of Human Rights; National Museum of Catholic Art and History; New York Susquehanna and Western Railroad; Dormitory Authority; IRS; Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum; Bard College; YMCA; New York's Public Officers Law; Central New York Regional Market; campaign donations; borrowed-money grants