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Using a multitude of public records, the News & Observer uncovered how a "politically connected state transportation official and two state correctional officials" influenced the sale of land for a new prison for their own personal benefit. The resulting series of stories shows the political influence exerted by the transportation official not only on the matter of the prison sale, but on other matters as well such as hirings and promotions within the Department of Corrections. Among other things, at the same time the department wanted to "eliminate the positions that oversee construction, purchasing and personnel," even the state's own legislators had no idea their budget proposal included paying off three top officials ready to retire with nearly $200,000. The paper was also able to track -- and subsequently expose -- the intricate web of transactions designed to hide the massive profit the three were making from the prison land deal.