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 "mafia" ...
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Hidden Wealth of Azerbaijan President
The President of oil-rich Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has been compared to a Mafia crime boss in US diplomatic cables, and man analysts refer to him as a dictator. OCCRP looked deeper than those labels and found that the Aliyev family has systematically grabbed shares of the most profitable businesses in the country. Investigative reports by OCCRP and Radio Free Europe have revealed and more importantly proven for the first time that the ruling family has secret ownership stakes through offshore companies in the country’s largest businesses, including banks, construction companies, gold mines and phone companies. The government Aliyev runs gave these shares. The family also has secretly amassed high-end property in places like the Czech Republic. The Azeri government responded to the revelations first with silence and now claims that OCCRP is an agent of the rival Armenian government. Aliyev’s administration also failed to investigate the harassment and blackmail of OCCRP and RFE journalist Khadija Ismayilova earlier this year. While Azerbaijan has worked at improving its image worldwide, OCCRP’s reporting makes clear that a petty dictatorship remains in control.
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The Mafia of Public Job Competitions
The story shows that investigations for fraud in public job competitions have been carried out in every Brazilian state. Required to join municipal, state and federal institutions, the competitions should be meant to choose the best applicants. However, only those appointed by politicians, and people who pay for a given position, are approved. Making use of a hidden camera, the reporter caught off-guard seven companies that fraud competitions and still approve only applicants appointed by mayors and other officials. Some sell the positions directly to the applicants.
Tags: international; job; fraud; Brazil; politicians; mayors
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GOTTI
The reporter spends four years meeting with John Gotti, the son of the most famous gangster of the modern era, with the purpose of learning more about the true working of the mob.
Tags: mob; gang; Gotti; John Gotti; mafia; federal court
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Blood of Their Brothers, The Border Trilogy
After three policemen and a civilian were executed and beheaded, the investigation into the mayoral regime began. This investigation uncovered a multitude of problems and scandals. Also, it revealed the three policemen and the civilian were honest and innocent. The series "explicitly spelled out the machinations of violence that's claimed more than 10,000 lives since 2006."
Tags: Rosarito; Mexico; conflict; police; law enforcement; mayor; cops; murder; crime; mafia; government
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Investigation into the Chinese Sex Mafia
A series of investigations uncovers a human trafficking ring in Ghana. Chinese girls are lured to the country by being promised singing careers in African operas but are then sold to wealthy individuals for sex.
Tags: Ghana; Africa; opera; Chinese; human trafficking; sex slavery; molestation; ring; sex mafia; anas aremeya; crusading guide;
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Investigating the Economic Structure Behind the Moldovan Regime
Oleg Voronin is the richest man in the Republic of Moldova. Scoop reporting uncovered a massive mafia-like network which Oleg used to seize businesses and operate them for profit. Opposition was silenced through swift and quiet violence, media manipulation and threats.
Tags: Oleg; Voronin; Republic of Moldova; appropriations; seizure; body guard; media; opposition; communist; business; wealth
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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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Blood and Volume: Inside New York's Israeli Mafia
“Headed by a cold-blooded killer named Johnny Attias, the Israeli mafia butted heads with the Italian mafia, killed Russian gangsters and pulled off the biggest gold heist in the history of Manhattan’s Diamond District.â€
Tags: Ron Gonen; mob; Ran Ephraim; Honey Tesman;
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Medford's Mafia
This is a comprehensive overview of criminal beahvior on the part of former Bunbombe County Sheriff Bobby Medford. The story was supposed to have run on Dec. 12, the day before the sheriff was arrested by federal authorities.
Tags: video poker; gambling; Johnny Harrison; Ronnie "Butch" Davis; Guy Penland; payoff; bribe;
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Tales of a Mafia Mistress
The biggest mafia case of 2007 was the Roy Lindley DeVecchio murder trial, where the defendant was a decorated ex-FBI agent. The whole case rested on the mistress of gangster Greg Scarpa Sr., Linda Schiro.