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 "Lawrence Small" ...
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"Smithsonian Freedom of Information stories"
The implementation of a new "open-records policy" by the Smithsonian Institution arose after persistent reporting by Washington Post reporters, James V. Grimaldi and Jacqueline Trescott. The journalists revealed "accountability gaps" within the institution, and exposed the Smithsonian's somewhat murky adherence to the Freedom of Information Act.
Tags: FOIA; Smithsonian Institution; Lawrence Small; Richard Pullman; Charles E. Grassley; Shirley Ann Jackson; Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents
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Water Department Investigation
KGTV reports that "(PART 1) ...through a series of mistakes and favors, big water customers are allowed to run up huge bills that go unpaid. Our investigation turned up $1 million in accounts that were in limbo. Several hotels ran up overdue bills in the many tens of thousands of dollars. Meanwhile small residential customers that don't pay on time have their water shut off... (PART 2) ... dozens of industrial water meters that were recording only 10 percent of the water going through them. These were new water meters that were being misread... (PART 3) ...the construction industry is on the honor system to pay for water.... The city cuts the number of water police and we document several instances where officers are told not to pursue large or influential customers."
Tags: TAPE TRANSCRIPT FOIA favoritism Metron Farnier Company Enduro meters
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Shaking the Money Tree
This article brings to light the background of Lawrence Coss, 1995's highest-paid executive in corporate America. As CEO of Green Tree Financial, Coss made a fortune drawing on his ability to talk others into a deal, and he leads a company that delves into the circumstances and credit histories of loan applicants. Yet, as CEO of a publicly-held company, he has never granted an interview request to discuss his own background. The story reveals that Coss was once a bankrupt former car salesman from a small town in South Dakota. He built Green Tree into a company with $4.6 million after money was pumped into it by Midwest Federal Savings and Loan. Midwest Federal later collapsed, at a cost to taxpayers estimated at more than $1 billion, and four of its executives were convicted of violating banking regulations and conspiring to hide huge losses at the savings and loan.
Tags: Savings and Loan; bankruptcy; banking regulations; Green Tree Financial; Midwest Federal