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 "chief executive" ...
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Dirty Deeds
It may be the biggest inside job in Louisiana history: vast expanses of oil and gas-rich land and water bottoms, owned by the state, but handed over to some of Louisiana’s most powerful politicians. The “scheme” uncovered by our investigative team dates back to the 1930s and has generated over a billion adjusted dollars during that time. This comprehensive multi-platform series not only sparked an investigation by Louisiana’s Attorney General, but also informed viewers that this shocking 80 year old deal is still costing an already cash-strapped state tens of millions of dollars each year.
Tags: Politicians; oil; gas; governors
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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
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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
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New York Times: Princelings
The “Princelings” series looked at the business dealings of the relatives of China’s senior leaders, and how they were able, in some cases, to amass billions of dollars worth of shares in public and private companies. The Times gave a detailed account of the wealth accumulated by the family of Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and the relatives of former Central Bank chief Dai Xianglong. The investigation found that much of the wealth was hidden behind layers of private companies, suggesting the wealth was intentionally disguised or hidden from the public. No media outlet had ever offered such a detailed account of the wealth of a family of a senior leader. The Times also found evidence that the family of the prime minister and the former Central Banker received pre-IPO shares of Ping An Insurance after those two senior officials were aggressively lobbied by executives at Ping An and their bankers. The lobbyists had sought special approval or licenses for Ping. The departments the two officials oversaw eventually gave the approval, The Times found.
Tags: Chinese politicians; China's senior leaders; business dealings
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The Kingmaker
This story profiles Don Blankenship, chief executive of a West Virginia energy company and a rising power in state politics. It covers his roots, his political beliefs and tactics, and his leadership of the energy company he heads. It also focuses on how his relationship with his chief political advisor has enabled his success.
Tags: coal; energy; West Virginia; politics; business; campaign finance; political advisor
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Head Start salaries unreasonable; Head Start not enrolling number of kids it's paid to; Head Start agency rosters padded, ex-employee says; Local Head Start Agency chief set to take $81,829 pay cut; Head Start Conferences keep execs on the road
Using federal financial audits/statements, this investigation looks at the mismanagement of a local Head Start agency. It was discovered that many of the top executives at the Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland, the largest Head Start agency in Ohio, have salaries much higher than other Head Start executives in different counties. As a result of this investigation, the executive director took a $82,000 pay cut and county commissioners are reviewing the executives' use of county money.
Tags: financial audits; open records laws; Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action; compensation; teacher salaries; executive salaries; Council for Economic Opportunities in Greater Cleveland; nonprofit agencies
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"Doctor Discipline"; "How well do you know your doctor?"
Over the course of their six month investigation, Gazette-Journal reporters, Frank Mullen and Steve Timko, uncover the truth about a handful of Nevada doctors responsible for the bulk of the state's malpractice lawsuits and settlements. According to this extensive series, many physicians, including the state's most-sued doctor, were going unpunished by the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners and continuing their practices. As a result of this investigation, "the board replaced two of its top officials (executive director and chief lawyer)."
Tags: Nevada Board of Medical Examiners; doctor disciplinary actions; malpractice
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Firing Back
60 Minutes examined the contention that the gun industry's marketing and sales practices allow guns to fall into the hands of criminals. In an exclusive interview, they spoke with a former senior firearms industry executive and lawyer who spent much of his career defending gun manufacturers against critics who blame the industry for the violence caused by guns. Now, the man who was once a top lawyer for the National Rifle Association and then the chief spokesman representing the major gun manufacturers is firing back at the gun industry, calling it a "dirty little secret."
Tags: TAPE; National Rifle Association; NRA; guns; criminals; gun industry; firearms; gun manufacturer; distribution; retailer; whistleblower; handgun; revolver; Bureau of Alcohol; Tobacco; and Firearms
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How Bloc Boosted Federal Funds; Official flagged 'In and Out" plan in 1996; Liberals want to shut 'In and Out' funding loophole; Liberals to close 'In and Out' loophole
An in-depth investigation by the National Post reveals how the "Bloc Quebecois, a federal seperatist party in Canada, planned and executed a scheme...to deliberately inflate the expenses of its candidates in the 2000 federal Canadian election using a system that party organizers secretly called 'La Methode In & Out". The story goes on to detail how the Liberal government ignored an earlier warning by Chief Electoral Officer about this loophole that existed in the Canada Elections Act. Furtermore, the report reveals how the Bloc Party Leader Gilles Duceppe refused to sign those party candidates' papers who expressed their discomfort with "La Methode...".
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Mutual Insurer Found Way to "Demutualize" That's Fast and Cheap
Roger K. Brooks, the Chief Executive of American Mutual Life Insurance, Co., found a way to "demutualize." Unfortunately, he may have misled his policyholders in doing so. the company is 1995 asked its policyholders to vote to convert the operation into a "mutual holding company." But policyholders were not told that they would get neither stock nor cash in return, and now some believe they have been cheated.
Tags: Mutual funds