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 "tax liens" ...
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Bailed Out Banks Snap Up Tax Liens
Many big banks that were bailed out by taxpayers were not helping those taxpayers, but instead buying tax liens. Many of those tax liens purchases were in the same neighborhoods as homes those same banks were foreclosing on.
Tags: banks; foreclosure; tax liens
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Breaking Point: Personal tales of New Jersey's tax crush
This investigation into New Jersey's highest-in-the-nation property tax system found that it is forcing people out of their homes, fueling the big business of tax lien sales, forcing homeowners to pay billions in extra taxes because of the faulty assessment system. Loopholes in the law allow billionaires and land developers to get a 98 percent tax break.
Tags: tax liens; property tax; tax loopholes; tax breaks; tax rates; assessments
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Nursing Homes
In Texas three nursing homes were able to continue to operate and expand despite bankruptcies and other financial trouble, due to the aid of bureaucrats and corporations. Also "nurse aides banned for abuse and neglect by the state were then recertified by the same department to work as nurse aides.
Tags: nurse; nursing; homes; corporations; bankruptcy; federal tax liens; fines; Department of Aging and Disability Services;
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Loose Rules for Lawmakers
This investigation uncovered many cases of unethical conduct by Pennsylvania state legislators. The reporters found that they used state planes for personal trips, that some lawmakers took advantage of their "ghost-voting" privilege, and that some lawmakers had tax liens filed against them, even while they made legislative decisions to change tax laws.
Tags: politicians; law; state government; government expenditure; politics; tax liens
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Property Tax Records
This two-part investigation found the process of tax sales unfairly favored speculators over those who were in jeopardy of losing property due to some owed money. Once a speculator bought a lien, he or she was sent notices of taxes owed on the property even though the owner was still responsible for paying. A few number of speculators bought the majority of liens on tax sale and also were likely to end up owning the property, though the system was supposed to be open.
Tags: tax; property tax; lien sale; foreclosure; real estate; speculator
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Top delinquent taxpayers: Debtors owe Waterbury millions
A Republican-American investigation exposes the failure of the city of Waterbury to go after its top delinquent taxpayers who owe $6.4 million in real estate property taxes. The story reveals that "thanks to court action, environmental issues, and sale of liens, the cash-strapped city isn't likely to collect anytime soon." The analysis shows that of "the city's $27.3 million in delinquent taxes ... the top debtors owe 23 percent of the total." The author describes each of the top 10 debtor properties. The investigation is illustrated with a full list of real estate tax delinquencies as of March 22, 2001, as provided by the tax collector. The package includes also a question-and-answer section designed to help readers who find themselves on the list of delinquent taxpayers.
Tags: real estate; taxation; delinquency; property ownership; collectability; debts; notice of foreclosure; liens; bankruptcy; business
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Tax-sale tactics get a hard look; Tax-sale buyer's tactics scrutinized; Witness protection inquiry possible; Records, interviews reflect Davis' posh past; Behind on their taxes, these homeowners crossed paths with Davis; Tale of four properties; Tax-sale law with bigger payoffs may be a 'monster;' State says D.M, businessman disguised loans as home sales; Man monitored client of Davis, was convicted
The Des Moines Register investigates slum lord Josh Davis, a former drug accountant for the Medellin Cartel who had gone into the witness-protection program. After Davis moved from California to Iowa, he began buying properties through tax sales. "He turned some properties into slum housing and found ways to take other properties he couldn't obtain through tax-delinquent liens... He,,, played cat and mouse games to keep city officials from closing properties with major code violations, intimidated or tricked people into signing over their homes and rented out dozens of improperly seized properties to make money."
Tags: Josh Davis; Medellin Cartel; drugs; witness-protection program; money; slum lords; housing; Iowa; California
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The IRS' Little Secret
KTVT-TV reveals how many IRS employees dodge taxes. The IRS refused to report if it had punished any employees. The investigation found that not one tax lien had been filed against an employee guilty of an offense for which the public is severely penalized.
Tags: TAPE
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No title (id: 12522)
Bankers and government officials entrusted two of Pittsburgh's most precious businesses--the hometown brewery and candy maker--to Michael Carlo, believing him when he said he would save jobs. An investigation by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette revealed that they wanted to believe him so much they were oblivious to a host of warning signs: prior FBI investigations; prior allegations of checkkiting; dozens of tax liens; lawsuits from unpaid creditors; and other Carlow businesses that had failed. (Dec. 10 - 11, 1995)
Tags: Boselovic CAR White knight Contest entry Employment 17 pgs.
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No title (id: 10828)
A series of stories investigating a Kalamazoo County Circuit Court judge. The judge was indicated on federal tax charges in March 1993 and pleaded guilty to one of the charges days before his scheduled trial. The story revealed the existence of state and federal tax liens against the judge, violations of the state Code of Judicial Conduct, questionable land deals and the existence of a secret state grand jury looking into the judge.
Tags: Mike Tyree; 15 pages