Resource Center

Stories

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 "lies" ...

  • Florida's Insurance Nightmare

    Six years after eight hurricanes ripped across Florida, state residents still struggle to recover from the storms' legacy - a wrecked property insurance market. Exorbitant premiums, the highest in the world, have soured the state's struggling economy, killed real estate sales and forced families from their homes. Homeowners were told that unless they paid even more, no insurance company would take their hurricane risk. The Herald-Tribune showed that is a lie. Floridians have been lied to about why there is a crisis, where their money is going, and whether they're even protected against storm losses. Public policy has been corrupted by fiction spun by the insurance industry and its supposed regulators. Billions of dollars desperately needed for the next disaster have been siphoned offshore. And millions of homeowners are left to entrust their financial security on a system rigged to extort profit. To expose the hidden truth of Florida's insurance crisis, St. John cultivated key sources deep within every aspect of the insurance industry and sought massive amounts of financial and policy data from multiple state and national entities. When it became obvious Florida's crisis was manipulated from afar, she traveled to Bermuda and Monte Carlo to discover the hidden players truly in charge.

    Tags: home insurance; property insurance; Florida; hurricane; real estate; insurance premiums; homeowners; Bermuda; Monte Carlo; state regulators; anti-trust law; State Farm

    By Paige St. John

    Herald-Tribune (Sarasota, Fla.)

    2010

  • The Second Rape

    This is the story about two young rape victims in athe small town of Bjasta in the norther part of Sweden. Although the rapist was convicted, people in the town began to blame the victims. Despite DNA-evidence, almost everyone thinks that the girls are lying.

    Tags: rape; criminal conviction; sexual assault

    By Hasse Johansson; Nicke Nordmark; Fredrik Westerberg; Lars-Goran Svensson

    SVT (Sweden)

    2010

  • Aid to Indian County

    Amidst an impoverished American Indian reservation lies nearly of decade of corrupt practices from a welfare program meant to help those who need it. The Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians' Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program has misused more than $6 million in taxpayer money over two years.

    Tags: Native Americans; Indians; welfare; Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians' Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

    By Keith Matheny

    Desert Sun (Palm Springs, Calif.)

    2010

  • "Paying for Perks"

    Fairfax County fire department officials were frequently using taxpayer funded take-home vehicles for personal use. The vehicles were often used for commuting instead of emergencies, and were often taken out of the county leading to high gas costs paid for by the public. The investigation also shows fire officials lied when filling out "logs and other public records."

    Tags: Fairfax County; Sharon Bulova; John J. Adair; Fairfax County Fire Department; Ron Mastin; Pat Herrity; Daryl Louder

    By Tisha Thompson; Rick Yarborough; Steve Jones; Stephanie Johnson

    WTTG-TV (Washington, D.C.)

    2009

  • "Allegations of Enrollment Abuses at U. of Phoenix"

    In this series, Marketplace and ProPublica team up to investigate accusations that The University of Phoenix has been lying to potential students, as well as improperly advising students on financial aid options. They found enrollment counselors frequently pressured students to sign up, and also lied to students about "whether their credits" were transferable.

    Tags: University of Phoenix; Bill Pepicello; Congressman George Miller; American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers; Barmak Nassirian; Career College Association; Department of Education; Harris Miller; The Apollo Group

    By Sharona Coutts; Amy Scott

    American Public Media

    2009

  • Adams' Admission

    Sam Adams, who at the time was Portland City Commissioner, met with a young intern several times. These meetings occurred before the intern’s 18th birthday, but both stated the relationship was platonic. Though, at the same time Adams was being sworn in as the first openly gay mayor, the story was published showing that Adams and the intern had lied about their relationship.

    Tags: government; lies; deception; politicians; legislative; politics; lying; secrets

    By Nigel Jaquiss

    Willamette Week (Portland, Ore.)

    2009

  • Durham insider loans pile up

    Tim Durham “is one of Indiana’s highest-profile businesspeople” and appeared to be rising to the top of the super rich. But behind his image, a story of deception and lies is revealed. After an investigation of his company, Fair Finance Co., revealed this deception and he was accused of securities fraud. Also, he was alleged to be using a Ponzi scheme, “using money from new investors to pay off previous purchasers of investment certificates”. Now, Durham and his company face a number of lawsuits.

    Tags: financial; finances; economy; Ohio; securities regulators; business; wealth; investors

    By Greg Andrews

    Business Journal (Indianapolis, IN)

    2009

  • Blago Hit Up Burris for Cash

    This series reveals how US Sen. Roland Burris changed his sworn testimony regarding his contacts with Rod Blagojevich. The series also revealed the US senator lied and then he lied about lying. All of this on top of one of the biggest political stories of the year with Blagojevich and Burris.

    Tags: politicians; politics; corruption; perjury; payment; cash; donations

    By Natasha Korecki; Dave McKinney

    Chicago Sun-Times

    2009

  • Tainted Justice

    The police department is believed to have tainted police jobs, which are caused by lies and motivated by power, greed, and money. Furthermore, the squads are suspected of looting mom-and-pop stores, terrorizing hard-working immigrant merchants, preying on women, and fabricating evidence. These submissions could reopen and potentially overturn hundreds of cases.

    Tags: police; justice system; justice department; protection; cops; squad; officers; narcotics; drugs; police department

    By Wendy Ruderman; Barbara Laker

    Philadelphia Daily News

    2009

  • Speaker Richardson

    Georgia state politics fell apart after House Speaker Glenn Richardson's ex-wife revealed he'd had an affair and had lied about attempting suicide. His wife also had e-mails detailing how a lobbyist had aided her now ex-husband with the adultery. Richardson resigned and eventually the other "top three" House leaders were voted out of their positions.

    Tags: Glenn Richardson; Susan Richardson; affair; ethics; Atlanta Gas Light; Georgia house speaker; Raymon White

    By Dale Russell; Mindy Larcom; Travis Shields; Randall Rinehart; Michael Carlin

    WAGA-TV (Atlanta)

    2009