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 "auto allowances" ...
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Trip to Nowhere
On the eve of a vote to raise taxes nearly 10 percent and cut spending, the stories laid out in detail how auto allowances routinely granted to dozens of county officials were not justified by their documented needs. Commissioners, department heads, and 15 of their secretaries and staff were receiving what amounted to bonuses that often exceeded more than 10 times what they could document in obscure but required forms. In a followup story, the county administrator reversed course and said he would study discontinuing auto allowances that exceeded the documented needs for two recently hired county watchdogs who were supposed to guard against waste and abuse. Finally, in a third story, the county acknowledged it had failed to meet states and local requirements to document "typical" mileage before all employees began receiving allowances, and said it would change its policy.
Tags: Tax; budget cut; finance; documents; fraud; corruption; auto allowances; bonuses; county
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Blackout
Halsne found that Washington drivers with severe medical impairments, such as diabetes, were again and again given immunity following serious auto accidents. Washington law does not restrict licenses of drivers who have a long history of blackouts. KIRO-TV profiled a diabetic who sent a total of 9 innocent victims to the hospital in 3 car wrecks. KIRO found eight-thousand medically impaired drivers are allowed to keep their licenses year after year.
Tags: driving license; auto accident; medical impairment; diabetic drivers; blackout accidents; license restriction
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Wrecks in Disguise
When a car or truck has been so badly damaged in a wreck that an insurance company declares it a total loss, you might think that would guarantee it a trip to the junkyard. Instead, a Consumer Reports investigation found that hundreds of thousands of these vehicles are rebuilt and sold to unwitting consumers. The report examines this murky enterprise, the safety threat to consumers and the nationwide system of flawed state title disclosure laws that allow consumers to be misled and cheated.
Tags: automobiles; wrecks; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; NHTSA; Carfax; Inc.; vehicle titles; Fatality Analysis Reporting System; FARS; auto auctions; state vehicle-titling laws; rebuilt wrecks; vehicle identification number
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Death at the track: Racing's Human Toll
An Observer investigation found that at least 260 people (including children and spectators) across the United States died in auto racing since 1990. The study scrutinized the main reasons: fences and barriers fail regularly, potentially dangerous drivers are allowed to race, head and neck injuries killed at least half the drivers, and inadequate rescue measures. After conducting more than 400 interviews plus newspaper and Internet searches, the Observer documented 260 deaths in all levels of U.S auto racing - from premier Winston cup and Indy car events to dirt-track races. Most deaths occurred at the small tracks. An Observer survey of track officials showed that few speedways inspect more than basic safety items of the racing cars. The fragmentation of the racing world and its players' fears of lawsuits have hindered collaboration and unity that could raise the level of safety.
Tags: death; sports; drivers; spectators; road accidents; survivors; safety standards; NASCAR; CART (Championship Auto Racing team); IRL (Indy Racing League); ARCA (Automobile Racing Club of America); life insurance; Lowe's motor speedway; CAR
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Danger Before Your Eyes
"Within the auto glass replacement industry, it has been an open secret that many of the 11 million car windshields installed each year are not put in correctly. In fact the shoddy and slapdash replacement work commonly performed can leave customers' cars unsafe - a consequence that even the technicians themselves often don't realize. Our story showed why a properly installed windshield matters to drivers - demonstrating the key safety functions that help to protect passengers in case of an accident. Then we went undercover to have several windshields replaced - allowing us to show many of the mistakes the installers often make."
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; cars; auto glass replacement
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No Exit
This investigation focuses on a form of auto insurance fraud, called "swoop and squat," that is putting drivers at risk of injury and death by allowing con-men to file fake personal injury claims through a "choreographed" car accident that involves innocent drivers.
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No title (id: 12855)
This series uncovered theft in one of Maryland's most trusted organizations, the State Police. WJLA-TV exposed an elaborate scheme that allowed State Police personnel to take tires and thousands of dollars worth of other auto parts from agency garages. The investigation revealed why the thefts went undetected, and the cover-up that apparently began when they were finally discovered two years ago. (Nov. 7-10, 1995)
Tags: Skeen Shield of corruption Contest entry Law enforcement 28 pgs. TAPE
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No title (id: 9271)
WJZ-TV (Baltimore) reports on a close relationship between an auto body shop and towing service and the Baltimore Police Department, which allows the towing service drivers to take advantage of accident victims by using illegal and unethical sales tactics on expensive repair work at their shops, Nov. 16, 1992.
Tags: MD Collins tape
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No title (id: 9067)
WCCO-TV (Minneapolis, Minn.) finds a loophole in Minnesota's automobile titling law is costing consumers by encouraging national auto theft rings; the law allows cars that have been wrecked and totaled in other states to get "clean titles" in Minnesota--often without inspection; the law allows unsafe autos onto the highway, Nov. 4 - 7, Dec. 27, 1992.
Tags: None
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The Lemon Law
WCAU-TV (Philadelphia) finds Pennsylvania's "Lemon Law" has a loophole that allows dealers to resell bad autos they had to buy back from unhappy customers, but they don't have to reveal the car's sour history.
Tags: Pennsylvania; Philadelphia; lemon law; used car dealer; Tape