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 "casino project" ...
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War Zone: The Destruction of an All-American City
The hour-long documentary War Zone: The Destruction of an All-American City takes an unprecedented look at the impact of corruption on the East St. Louis, Illinois area, one of the poorest and most violent communities in America. The program was broadcast twice during prime time; Tuesday night at 8 pm on August 28, and the following Saturday night at 7 pm. This project was the result of an ongoing decade-long probe of government waste, corruption, police misconduct, and violence in East St. Louis and the surrounding villages by investigative reporter Craig Cheatham. Our documentary begins with a detailed look at police misconduct and corruption, how it has contributed to the breakdown of public safety in the East St. Louis area, and why local politicians tolerated such outrageous behavior by their officers. The second part of our documentary focuses on the impact of derelict and vacant housing, the slumlords who own the property and the people who live in some of the worst housing in the metro area. Our investigation also uncovered new connections between politicians and legendary slumlord Ed Sieron, who was business partners with a longtime mayor. In addition, KMOV revealed that of the 500 mostly rundown properties that Sieron owns in East St. Louis, only 13 were cited for code violations. That lack of accountability for the notorious slumlord, empowered him and made the people living in his homes feel powerless. War Zone also exposes the way East St. Louis communities have sold their economy to vice-driven businesses like strip clubs, liquor stores, a casino, and convenience marts that had a long history of selling illegal synthetic drugs. Our investigation found that nearly all of these businesses failed to employ a significant number of East St. Louis residents, even though they received millions of dollars in tax incentives that are paid by East St. Louis residents. At the same time East St. Louis is handing out tax breaks to wealthy out-of-town businessmen, it repeatedly refused to provide the same tax incentives for local residents who wanted to create family friendly businesses that would employ people living in the East St. Louis area.
Tags: government corruption; police misconduct; violence; politicians; community; local business
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Mississippi Developers' Pasat Includes Fraud
After Hurricane Katrina hit Hancock County, Mississippi, a massive reconstruction project was planned to restore resorts, condominiums and a casino. The developers Paradise Properties of Florida vowed to spend $5 billion to help in the effort, an amount which is worth more than the real estate in Hancock County before the hurricane. But members of the firm have been accused of multi-million dollar internet scams.
Tags: Richard Kern; Donald Kern
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The Secret Choctaw Deal
The American Press reports a secret deal signed by Gov. Mike Foster with a tribe of Choctaw Indians based in central Louisiana that would allow construction of the largest land-based casino in the state.
Tags: Bureau of Indian Affairs; Choctaw; casinos; Louisiana; gaming market; casino project; Calcasieu Parish
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The day clout struck out
Chicago Magazine examines a failed casino project in Illinois, which did not get the approval of "a previously compliant state agency" because of alleged Mob ties. The analysis finds that "the story of rise and collapse of what was a sure thing offers an instructive ... case study of how public projects are put together in this state." The story looks at the "odd match" that casino operator Kevin Flynn and Rosemont mayor Don Stephens made, as they became "cohorts in one of the grandest deals the state had ever seen, the proposed Emerald Casino in Rosemont," an area close to O'Hare airport. The report offers background information about licensing gambling businesses in Illinois.
Tags: Richard M. Daley; George Ryan; East Dubuque; riverboat; casinos; crime; politics; deals; influence
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The Hidden Addiction
This series examines the social costs of gambling. For all its profitmaking, the real losers are the gamblers and their families. According to the report, there are 100,000 "gambling addicts" in Oregon which result in financial straights (bankrupticies, bad loans), as well as emotional pressures.
Tags: gambling; video poker; addiction; lottery; Oregon Tribes Committee; Keno; legalized gambling; casino nights; Project Stop
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The Real Deal
Kent examines the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) and the effect this organization has on Atlantic City. The CRDA, formed 16 years ago, is an organization that has already spent more than $500 million on urban renewal projects, most of them in Atlantic City,
Tags: Atlantic City; CRDA; casinos; gambling
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No title (id: 13810)
The story offers a window into Indian gambling casinos in California, and the attraction of criminals and scam artists to these lucrative enterprises. The San Francisco Chronicle learned that a group of land speculators, including a man previously convicted of theft and others sued for fraud, were behind a proposal to develop 321 acres of farmland -- one of the last stretches of open space on the San Francisco Bay. The group has disguised its plans to eventually build a gambling casino at the site. In a profit-sharing scheme, the speculators have teamed up with the Hopland Pomo Indians to establish a new Indian Reservation on the acreage -- and then declare the site immune from federal gaming laws. (March 16, 1996)
Tags: Doyle Trail of failed projects behind pomos' bay plan Contest entry 5 pgs.