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 "convicted felons" ...
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Pay Day Lenders Skirt Law
The story revealed how a high end race car driver who is also a convicted felon is partnering with an Indian tribe to run a multi-million dollar payday loan business. By partnering with the tribe the lenders do not have to follow any state laws. The lender is currently under multiple investigations by attorneys general.
Tags: payday loan; Better Business Bureau; property tax records
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Sex offender, other felons ran camps for homeless kids
This investigation "found that Palm Beach County officials paid a convicted child molester, drug dealers, thieves and other people with criminal records nearly half a million dollars in public money to run summer camps for homeless, foster and impoverished children during the past three years."
Tags: child safety; sex offender; criminal records; child care; criminal background; camp; child welfare
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Lee Sheriff's Link With Felon Raises Influence Fears
Lee County’s Sheriff has been close friends with a convicted money launderer and kidnapper. During the campaigns for sheriff, he obtained money and advice from the convicted felon. Though, being associated with a felon is not a crime, it is prohibited by the sheriff’s office policy. Once the sheriff learned of his past, he talked less and less to him but they still remain friends today.
Tags: Mike Scott; Richard Spence; law enforcement; police officers; deputies; drug cartel; corruption; connections
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Felons Working in Higher Education
After Weber State University implemented a background check policy for current and incoming faculty and staff, The Signpost uncovered at least eight employees who were convicted of a felony or had "serious misdemeanors" on their records. Since the investigation started, three WSU employees are no longer employed at the university.
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Security Breach
"From broken metal detectors to convicted felons carrying police badges and guns, WTTG-TV's hidden camera investigation of the DC Protective Service Police Department (DCPSD) showed how anyone armed with a weapon could easily slip through security inside District government buildings."
Tags: security; federal buildings; Washington, D.C.; police;
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Casino Scandal
Scranton billionaire Louis DeNaples was awarded a slots license in December of 2006 by the Pennsylvania Gaming Board despite being a convicted felon with ties to the Bufalino Crime Family.
Tags: mafia; slot machine; Governor Ed Rendell; perjury; mobster;
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Felons Hunting with guns slip past state law
More than 850 felons had been found to hunt and kill deer with a "modern firearm," which is not allowed by state law. It was discovered that state agencies did not run background checks on felons before issuing a hunting license.
Tags: deer season; game tag; Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; convict; weapon; rifle;
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Good Time Credit
Nevada legislature passed AB510 to reduce prison overcrowding by "granting 'good time credits' to nonviolent, non-sexual offenders." However, what the public wasn't told was that it would apply to all felons on parole.
Tags: sex offenders; parole; felons; violent felons; prison; overcrowding; convicts; AB510
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Hidden Violations
Illinois is the second to last state in "the rate at which it suspends or revokes teaching certificates." Often reports of misconduct are not acted upon or investigated. Its screening system is also flawed and "has repeatedly allowed convicted sex offenders and other violent felons to be certified to teach."
Tags: teaching; certified teacher; Illinois Department of Children and Family Services; Illinois State Board of Education; sex offenders; criminals; abuse; felons; certificate
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Your Cell Phone Records Are For Sale
Spurred by a report "buried in the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police newsletter," the Sun-Times looks into the fact that anyone - including criminals - could purchase police officers' cell phone records on the Internet. Reporter Frank Main tested this by purchasing his own cell records for $110 from an online broker. "The records detailed the time and date of each call, and the telephone number called." The broker who sold these records turned out to be a convicted felon. Experts note that the easy access to such records "puts women at risk from stalkers; undercover officers at risk of having confidential informants exposed by criminal targets; and business people at risk of being spied on by corporate rivals."
Tags: Cell phones; wireless phones; cell phone records; stalking; undercover officers; corporate espionage