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 "guru" ...
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Dirty Deeds
Mark Bosworth was a self-proclaimed guru of Pheonix real estate, a rags-to-riches entrepreneur who once claimed his companies owned $1 billion in property. When the housing market turned, Bosworth's trickes were exposed and his clients lost more than their fair share. The Phoenix New Times detailed how Bosworth forged deeds, misled clients, abused customers of his companies and lost his empire.
Tags: real estate; scam; housing market collapse; Arizona; forgery
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Firm Beliefs
The idea for this story came to light during a murder investigation. WTVF uncovered evidence linking the child-abuse death of an 8-year-old boy in the Atlanta area to the teachings of his family's church. The church, located just outside of Nashville, was started by Christian diet guru Gwen Shamblin. Despite Shamblin's denials, the investigation uncovered church tapes that documented how she had instructed her followers to severely discipline their children. Among the tapes: a conference call in which the mother was applauded for locking her child in his room for days.
Tags: faith teachings; religious teachings; religious teachings and child abuse; Gwen Shamblin; Tennessee
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Science Fiction
Even after considerable money has been spent into research on various alternative medicines, there is still no evidence that they work. Still, taxpayers' money continues to flow towards research into these techniques, such as leech therapy, herbal medicine and reflexology.
Tags: alternative medicine; health; guru
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The "X" Files
NBC reports on clandestine ecstasy labs. The investigation leads to "an anonymous guru who created a website which teaches people how to make illegal drugs such as meth and ecstasy." The report sheds light on the website, called the Hive, and examines the identity of the guru known under the pseudonym Strike and suspected for having ties with a huge Mexican drug cartel. The investigating team also tracks down some of the chemical suppliers that provided the ingredients needed to make ecstasy.
Tags: TAPE; TRASNCRIPT; colleges; students; crime; law enforcement; police; Internet; chemistry; X files
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The Acid King
Rolling Stone reports on the arrest of suspected acid guru William Pickard and his life in the world of psychedelic manufacturing and research. Pickard is believed to have brewed more LSD than the legendary 60's acid mogul Augustus Owsley Stanley; he may also be one of the few people in the world capable of cooking up synthetic mescaline. His upcoming trial may offer a unique glimpse into the guarded world of LSD manufacture in America.
Tags: LSD; William Pickard; drug sales
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The Guru of White Hate
Blythe writes and in-depth interview with the "world's most influential white supremacist" William Pierce. He examines Pierce's book, magazine and new record label and what effect they have on the general public and other young or aspiring skinheads.
Tags: white supremacy; skinheads; William Pierce; Blythe; hate groups; Timothy McVeigh
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King of the Pitch
Infomercial guru Kevin Trudeau has used his blinding charisma and faux-journalistic techniques to rocket to the top of the direct-response TV business. But with his history of run-ins with the law, you may not want to buyt what he's selling just yet.
Tags: Infomercial; Marketing
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American Dream
A young Bosnian with NBA hopes found an unlikely refuge -- a private school in Manhattan -- where a zealous fitness guru and a fallen playground legend drove him to excel. But first they almost drove him crazy. Sports Illustrated chronicles Vedad Osmanovic's unorthodox education at the Dwight School.
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No title (id: 13945)
The Westword looks into the controversial practices of the "self-empowerment" organization Landmark Education Corporation and its historical ties to cult-like EST and EST founder Werner Hans Erhard. Erhard, the charasmatic self-help guru of the 1970s-80s, fled the country to avoid tax evasion charges and allegations of incest. (April 18, 1996)
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series
West Magazine (San Jose Mercury News) investigates the Hare Krishna movement in California, focusing on a guru who, despite renunciation vows, slept with female followers and used drugs and guns; investigates murder of one follower who rebelled, June 21 and 28, 1987.
Tags: cults; Hare Krishna