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 "Rap" ...

  • Cop's Book Says Sean Combs, Suge Knight Ordered Tupac and Biggie Killings

    The LA Weekly investigation provided the public with the first big break in nearly a decade in the 14-year-old unsolved murder cases of rap superstars Tupac Shakur and Christopher "Biggie Smalls" Wallace.

    Tags: Tupac, Biggie Smalls; Sean Combs; LA Weekly; Rap

    By Chris Vogel, Simone Wilson

    Villiage Voice Media/LA Weekly

    2011

  • Protect and Serve

    The investigation of a Florida Atlantic University police officer, who was arrested for allegedly shooting escort Sheri Deann Carter in January 2011. Ho had a history of violence and a rap sheet that included many civilian complaints and battery charges from his wife.

    Tags: Police; Florida Atlantic University, Rape, Escort, Sheri Dean Carter

    By Monica Ruiz

    University Press (Florida Atlantic University)

    2011

  • Slippery When Wet; The Runners-up; Bob Castle's Boozy Rap Sheet

    Until this Seattle Weekly report, the police and public didn't realize that Robert Castle was the state's DUI King, a chronic hazard who racked up 16 drunk driving convictions and was repeatedly given breaks by the courts and soft time by judges. Documents reviewed by the Seattle Weekly revealed poorly kept records that prevented judges from realizing the full scope of Castle's driving history and his threat to others on the roadways.

    Tags: drunk driving; DUI, Seattle; court system; alcohol; repeat offenders

    By Rick Anderson

    Seattle Weekly

    2008

  • Dumping Ground

    Ex-convicts and former prisoners are sent to live in Pierce County into the work-release programs to help them ease back into society. Pierce County has three of these programs- RAP, Progress, and Lincoln Park houses- to help rehabilitate prisoners. But the programs are adding to the already large number of ex-cons living in Pierce County, and the number is increasing.

    Tags: jail; inmate; correctional facility; Gerry Horne; pre-release; correction

    By Joseph Turner; Sean Robinson

    News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.)

    2006

  • Beating the Rap

    This investigation revealed the corrupt and unfair way that Iowa's county prosecutors handle traffic violations. The reporter found that speeding convictions were often set aside and replaced with fictitious "equipment violations" that brought in more money to the department and let the drivers stay on the road. Some charges were downgraded when the drivers agreed to donate money to local police or local charities. These stories raised many legal and safety issues and prompted radical reform.

    Tags: speeding; drunk driving; DUI; DWI; car insurance; sheriff; county prosecutor; bribery; corruption

    By Clark Kauffman

    Register (Des Moines, Iowa)

    2004

  • The Final Ride

    KIRO-TV reports that a public transportation program for the disabled has covered up fatal accidents. Although records of the accidents have been kept secret for reasons of "client confidentiality," the reporters managed to obtain documents revealing the flaws in the system -- incident reports, autopsy reports, wrongful death lawsuits, trip reimbursement vouchers, etc. Another finding is that many of the van drivers had extensive rap felony records.

    Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; crime; homicide; road accidents; state government; deaths; patients; doctors; sexual offenders

    By Chris Halsne;Bill Benson;Peter Gamba

    KIRO-TV (Seattle)

    2002

  • Crazy Horse Too

    KVBC-TV investigates Crazy Horse, a local topless bar, and reveals its links to organized crime figures. The story looks at an allegation that patrons who objected to their tabs had been beaten up and robbed. The main findings are that the number of police responses to the club is rising, many of the bouncers had long rap sheets and the owner of the club was closed to mob figures.

    Tags: background checks; police; law enforcement; mobsters; Mafia; tape; transcript

    By Glen A. Meek;Mike Bryan

    KVBC-TV (Las Vegas)

    2002

  • "The New Mob" and "The FBI and Its Jersey Fences"

    Daily News investigates the trade in stolen cargo in the New York region, and discovers a bigger scoop - that several FBI informants had made themselves rich by stealing cargo for years. The story's main character, Jose Maldonaldo, a cargo thief with a long rap sheet, has stolen more than $20 million in goods while working as an informant for the FBI's New Jersey office. Informants sometimes stole for themselves, and sometimes for the FBI, the investigation reveals. A few business owners talked on the record about "having paid out money to the FBI to broker deals to return their goods."

    Tags: Mafia; mob; gangs; law enforcement; prosecution; justice; intelligence; courts

    By Thomas Zambito

    New York Daily News

    2002

  • Death by Chopper; High-flying crime

    Seattle Weekly investigates fair-business law violations by Boeing, the world's biggest plane maker. The first story reveals that the corporation was accused of hiding flawed parts on U.S. military choppers, which the government says led to at least one fatal crash. The second story summarizes the claims against Boeing over the last two decades: illegally selling technology to overseas companies, trafficking, involvement in a major military contract-procurement scandal, bribery, and breach of supply contracts. "Boeing's latest fine sends its corporate rap sheet soaring to $100 million in the last three years," Anderson reports. Though the company has admitted some of its export law violations, it claims that "it's a mistake to think of Boeing and corruption in the same sentence," according to a quote by the vice-president of the corporation.

    Tags: defense; military contracts; Army; business; Department of Navy; corruption; bribe; Congress; fraud; kickbacks; airplanes; technology; data; know-how; helicopters

    By Rick Anderson

    Seattle Weekly

    2000

  • Deadly Deals: A Sting out of Control

    A story about a DEA informant with a long rap sheet who was released from jail early, got drunk, then killed a single mother. This DEA informant was a career criminal with a record of 67 arrests. He should still be in jail but officials used him to set up drug stings.

    Tags: drunk driving; undercover; murder

    By Lee Melsek

    News-Press (Fort Myers, Fla.)

    1998