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 "towing" ...
-
"Drivers Beware"
Thomas Caywood revealed that a local towing company, Falcon Recovery, was using an "undercover spotter" to keep watch on a strip mall parking lot. Just moments after motorists parked and left their cars, the spotter would call in a tow truck. Caywood also revealed that the company was "tacking on an illegal charge."
Tags: Falcon Recovery; tow trucks; strip mall; Worcester; RMV; Registry of Motor Vehicles; Madison Place; Francis R. Whitenett Jr.
-
Rohingya: A Forgotten People
This investigation reveals abuse committed by the Thai Military against Rohingya minorities fleeing from Burma. The Thai Military would intercept Rohingya boats with refugees aboard and tow them out to the middle of the sea and leave them without adequate supplies. Being without food and water many of the Rohingya refugees died, but the numbers are unclear as to how many people actually died.
Tags: Thailand; Myanmar; ocean; islands; human rights; Prime Minister; Abhisit Vejjajiva; boatpeople; Muslim; safety; persecution
-
Constables Under Fire
“The series of stories examines the questionable employment practices and operations of several county constable officers”. Some of these practices include “aggressive and unregulated towing effort and questionable ties with a towing company, political campaign violations and the unprecedented expansion of constables’ police duties with minimal oversight”. These constables are now under civil and criminal investigations and have been accused of a number of things.
Tags: city government; judge; lawmen; deputies; law enforcement; car tags; county government; deputies
-
Police Towing Scandal
Police officers were found to be using cars seized by the police department, the scandal led to the retirement of the Police Chief.
Tags: Department of Motor Vehicles; S & H Towing; St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department;
-
On the Hook
KTVU found that the small claims court in California was being abused by tow truck operator, Paul Greer. However the abuse was able to happen because of lack of oversight which allowed him to file for more than two small claim cases a year. "In fact, on one day [KTVU] found 12 small claims judgments in favor of Greer totaling more than $23,000."
Tags: small claims; justice; law; California; state courts; database;
-
Tow Hold
The Cactus Towing company was found to be connected with elected officials in order to keep the company going by using political contributions and lobbying. The company had reportedly been over charging its customers and continued to win city contracts to keep in business.
Tags: towing; lobby; Lee Watkins; Udall
-
Danger in Tow
Los Angeles Times investigated U-Haul International. They looked at the high number of towing accidents that occur while towing U-Haul trailers. U-Haul trailers were not kept up to standard and maintenance was poor. When faced with law suits from injured customers, "U-Haul has repeatedly lost, altered or discarded truck and trailer parts" which would have been evidence.
Tags: travel; transportation; U-Haul International; safety; driving; moving; law suits; destruction of evidence; injuries
-
St. Louis Towing Scandal
This is a series of pieces Mahr, Hunn and Kohler wrote looking into the relationship between the St. Louis Police Department and a private tow lot, St. Louis Metropolitan Towing. The lot illegally kept and sold several cars that police impounded during investigations. The lot also lent and sold several cars to the St. Louis police chief's daughter. The series includes short personal stories about people whose cars were taken by the lot.
Tags: towing; police corruption; private contracts; public-private partnership; Joe Mokwa; sweetheart deals
-
Tow Truck Pirates
The investigation looked into the rampant practice of illegally towing cars from private parking lots in LA and the laws that have allowed them to continue.
Tags: towing; L.A.; Los Angeles; Federal Aviation Administration Act; Interstate Commerce Commission; Chris Cox; Jim Moran; Dianne Feinstein
-
Seizing for Dollars
The News-Sentinel examined the state's asset forfeiture program, specifically looking at what items were being taken from people by law enforcement in our country, why the property was taken and what happened to it. The reporters found authorities confiscated $1.1 million and nearly 1,700 vehicles over the past four years. Most of the vehicles were seized from repeat drunk drivers and those driving on a revoked license because of a prior DUI. The reporters looked at how much money the auctions of those vehicles brought into the departments and found that most agencies lost money after they deducted storage, towing and auction expenses from the proceeds.
Tags: forfeiture laws; Knoxville Police Department; vehicles; Tennessee Highway Patrol; police seizures; property; drug cases