The IRE office will be closed from December 25th to January 5th.
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Air defense system behind schedule and over budget
Michael Fabey of Aerospace Daily & Defense Report writes that the Air Force’s planned defense system meant to protect the US against a repeat of 9/11-type aviation attacks is 2 years behind schedule and millions over budget. In the meantime, the US relies on NORAD Contingency Suite – the interim system put in place immediately…
Read MoreBond scam yields profits at the expense of the needy
William Selway, Martin Z. Braun and David Dietz of Bloomberg News exposed a phantom bond scam – over $7 billion in the past 10 years – which promise benefits for the needy (better housing, improvements to inner-city schools, etc.), yet the only ones profiting are banks, insurance companies and financiers. “The arrangements — often called…
Read MoreBuying the bench with key contributions?
In a series by Salon.com and the Center for Investigative Reporting, Will Evans exposes a money trail that leads from the pockets of judges to coffers of prominent Republicans – including the President. “At least two dozen federal judges appointed by President Bush since 2001 made political contributions to key Republicans or to the president…
Read MoreMCCCD fraught with fraud
In a four-part investigative series, Ryan Gabrielson of the East Valley (AZ) Tribune exposes rampant misconduct in the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), the largest junior college district in the US. The Tribune reviewed audits from the last five years which revealed rampant fraud – including theft of money and property, falsified enrollment records…
Read MorePotential exists for deceased to still vote in NY
In the lead-up to November’s elections, John Ferro of the Poughkeepsie Journal exposes the potential for voting fraud in New York state. The statewide database of registered voters contains the names of nearly 77,000 deceased – including many who cast votes posthumously. “The Journal’s analysis is the first to examine the potential for errors and…
Read MoreSexual misconduct rampant with Utah peace officers
Nate Carlisle and Lisa Rosetta of The Salt Lake Tribune report on sexual misconduct by peace officers in the state of Utah. “It is the most common reason – more than excessive force, falsifying reports or driving under the influence – that Utah officers lose their certifications or are suspended from their jobs, according to…
Read MoreFreedom for sale in Florida
Carl Jones of Miami New Times reports on corruption in the justice system in southern Florida. The series [See:Part 1 and Part 2] explores the story behind a now disbarred defense attorney, Isreal Perez, Jr., who promised to get the prison sentences of convicted felons reduced – for a price. “If there’s any truth to…
Read MoreFlorida realtor rakes in profits
Shannon Behnken of the Tampa Tribune reports of real estate fraud in the St. Petersberg, FL area. “With three months’ experience, the agent [Dawn L. Molen] who had never listed a home closed her first sale Jan. 27 in a working-class neighborhood. Her buyer paid $45,000 more than the asking price…over the next eight months,…
Read MoreIn Louisiana, Post-Katrina insurance appeals made more often by whites
Rukmini Callimachi and Frank Bass of the Associated Press report on a disparity in post-Katrina insurance claims. Based on analysis of Louisiana’s insurance claims, they determined that residents of predominantly white neighborhoods “have been three times as likely as homeowners in black neighborhoods to seek state help in resolving insurance disputes.” Their analysis suggests that…
Read MoreDetroit: “The Quality of Urban Life”
A 2-day series by Greta Guest and Victoria Turk in the Detroit Free Press examined the state of grocery stores in the city of Detroit. While the housing market in downtown Detroit is experiencing growth, a lack of desirable grocery store options is a “nagging problem in terms of the city’s quality of life.” Difficulty…
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