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 "misuse of taxpayer funds" ...
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"Political misuse of a public database, a collection of stories by Harford Courant staff writer Jon Lender"
Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz exploited an extensive yet recondite database of "36,000 Connecticut citizens" by submitting a FOI request within her office. By using her own staff and a "taxpayer-funded budget," she tracked and documented citizen's "political and personal information" and created the database to boost her aspiration of reaching higher office.
Tags: Susan Bysiewicz; FOI; Richard Blumenthal; campaign; taxpayers; Democrat; state attorney general; governor
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East of St. Louis School District 189 investigation
This investigation into East St. Louis School District 189 shows misuse of funds and highlights questionable decisions at administrative levels for both academics and athletics. About 7,500 students attend classes in the district that has received constantly failing grades when compared to educations achievement statewide. The district receives millions in federal "Title 1" money because more than 90 percent of its students live blow the poverty line. However, this investigation revealed questionable use of those taxpayer funds. In September, the story took a turn and focused on the champion East St. Louis Flyers football team that was eventually kicked out of the state playoffs despite having an undefeated recored. In these stories, questionable practices by district officials regarding strict residency rules were revealed.
Tags: Title 1; academics; athletics; school; students; low-income; taxpayer; East St. Louis Flyers; football; School District 189; corruption; finance; FOI
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Hidden Government
It was found that the Long Island taxpayers' money is being used to fund new cars, trips, and health benefits for officials. Examination of certain districts that provided special services from water to garbage pickup, found that the officials are misusing tax funds.
Tags: Michael Kalnik; Katuria D'Amato; Lester Siems; Karen Wilutis; Stephen Mahler; Michael Norman; Patrick E. Byrne Jr.
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A Chief Under Fire
The story looks at "corruption and malfeasance at the federally-funded, volunteer fire department, the Boone County Fire Protection District." Specifically, the author reveals a misuse of "federal grant money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and public, taxpayer money for the purchase of an 8-foot bronze statue in front of the department's Columbia, Mo. headquarters.
Tags: fire department; misuse of funds; taxpayer money; corruption, Boone County Fire
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Left Behind, The Failure of East St. Louis Schools
KMOV-TV looks into the state of the public schools in the East St. Louis area, finding that they are not providing an education that meets state and federal standards. Among the issues are: a shortage of special-education teachers, a lack of at-home teachers, the fact East St. Louis is one of five public school districts (of 900 total in the state) that are on state academic probation, friends and relatives being hired for security, secretarial and custodial jobs and a high number of managers without teacher certifications, administrators taking expensive trips for seminars on taxpayer dollars.
Tags: District 189; East St. Louis; Missouri public schools; state academic probation; nepotism; misuse of taxpayer funds
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Detroit Public Schools
The investigation dealt with major ongoing problems at Detroit Public Schools. An audit revealed mismanagement, misspending, and waste. When WXYZ learned of these audits, their requests for the auditing records were continually denied. The station also learned the school system was spending millions to move its headquarters, which was to be renovated, therefore using taxpayer money. Even with a FOIA request, access to these records was denied for the most part. After taking these issues to court, WXYZ obtained the records. They found the "head honchos" were working in luxurious offices, while students were surrounded by filth and weren't even provided with enough books. Funds were clearly misused.
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; audits; taxpayer; education; Detroit Public Schools; renovation; Huntington Construction
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The Money and the Movement: An Account of the Rev. Jesse Jackson
WMAQ-TV (Chicago) documentary examines Jesse Jackson and the principal controversies he has been involved in--conflicts with civil rights leaders, disputes with the federal government over misuse of taxpayer funds by PUSH, trade agreements he has concluded with corporate America, October 1983.