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 "art" ...
-
Playing with Fire
“Playing with Fire” focuses on a public board well out of the public eye, but one that could cost New Orleans taxpayers millions of dollars every year. After a month of digging through thousands of pages of records at the New Orleans Firefighters Pension Fund, WVUE-TV and Lee Zurik revealed questionable salaries, spending, and management.
Tags: broadcast; taxes; taxpayers; firefighters; salaries
-
Playing with Fire
“Playing with Fire” focuses on a public board well out of the public eye, but one that could cost New Orleans taxpayers millions of dollars every year. After a month of digging through thousands of pages of records at the New Orleans Firefighters Pension Fund, WVUE-TV and Lee Zurik revealed questionable salaries, spending, and management. Among the notable discoveries: a $70,000 raise and $90,000 lump sum payout for the board Secretary-Treasurer/CEO; tens of thousands of dollars in questionable credit card charges by the board; and tens of millions of dollars in questionable investments. This last element is perhaps the most egregious for the citizens of New Orleans who are left to foot the bill for any pension fund shortfalls. This multi part series launched an investigation by the city’s inspector general, forced the board to change polices and led to charges filed by the state ethics board against two of the principals in our series.
Tags: New Orleans; taxes; taxpayers; credit cards
-
MOMA's Problematic Provenances
In January 2010, the heirs of the German artist George Grosz lost a lawsuit against the Musuem of Modern Art. Their claim for three paintings was rejected on the grounds that the statue of limitations had run out before the suit was filed. But many observers experienced in the field of Holocaust-era art restitution believed that if the judge had considered the facts instead of ruling on a technicality, the verdict would have been different.
Tags: Art; George Grosz
-
Unraveling the Mysteries of Degas' Sculpture
ARTnews covered a controversy regarding a set of plaster sculptures described by a group of dealers as "recently discovered" works by famed artist Edward Degas and discovered there was no way that these pieces could be considered genuine.
Tags: Art; Edward Degas
-
Ai Weiwei
The story follows the life of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei who has been subdued by his government for criticizing its policies.
Tags: china; government; house; arrest; art; cultural revolution
-
Toxic Time Bomb Investigative Series
An investigation of Nassau County's two major sewage plants finds that the once state-of-the-art facilities are now putting the plant workers, the environment, and the public at risk. Preventative maintenance had not been performed, the gas valves released gas uncontrollably, and conditions were worse than the administrators wanted the public to know.
Tags: gas; mismanagement; pollution; sewage; plant; regulate
-
Risky business; Bus safety an issue for colleges
The investigation found that "at least 85 Division I universities used charter bus companies during 2007 and 2008 with deficient federal safety ratings." Further, "about 35 have used companies with an overall conditional rating, which mean they have a more serious record of infractions." A number of things contributed to account for the companies’ bad safety records, these includes crashes, speeding tickets, unqualified drivers, and worn out vehicles.
Tags: FOIA; athletics; athletic department; transportation; sports; teams; travel; inspections; operations
-
"The Lost Chalice"
Author Vernon Silver dives deep into the Italian world of art smuggling. Through court documents and "interviews with modern tomb robbers, smugglers and art dealers," Silver is able to locate a valuable missing vase. The book provides an in-depth look at the world's third largest "underground economy," and how a "network of powerful people and institutions" has been at the center of the "illicit art and cultural property trade."
Tags: Euphronios; Oxford University; Metropolitan Museum of Art; chalice; Zeus; art smugglers; tomb raiders
-
Pension Bonanza
The state of Illinois is in a large amount of debt due to its pension plan, which is causing services to be eliminated. The pension plan has allowed some government retirees to become millionaires and others earning “at least $100,000 a year”. This is one of the reasons the state is in large debt and the fact the pension plan is costing “more than $800 million a month”.
Tags: workers; taxes; taxpayers; economy; expense; burden; retirement; benefits; money; Quinn
-
Warhol Inc., The Brillo-Box Scandal
Even though he died more than two decades ago, Andy Warhol’s images are still in high demand. The prices for his paintings rank among some of the highest and his fame shows no signs of diminishing. Furthermore, the amount of products with his imagery continues to expand and his brand is becoming one of the most powerful in the world. The second part of this story, describes the Brillo box scandal. This scandal deals with Warhol’s Brillo boxes design being reproduced and sold as originals.
Tags: Andy Warhol; Brillo boxes; Brand; artist; Collectors; Work; Art; Paintings