The Center for Public Integrity : Investigations

City Adrift

2007-05-02T16:27:00-05:00

After Hurricane Katrina the Center commissioned seven seasoned reporters to probe the government’s overall unpreparedness for natural or man-made crises, and their reports became a well-reviewed book.

Takings Initiatives Accountability Project

2006-10-03T13:42:00-05:00

A web of stealth organizations tied to a few political activists funded ballot initiatives in six Western states aimed at undermining zoning and environmental regulations — and the Center found many operating illegally.

Campaign Consultants

2006-10-01T16:33:00-05:00

During the 2003-2004 races for federal offices, the Center found that nearly half of all campaign spending went to political consultants — a staggering $1.78 billion — and many consultants then turned to post-election lobbying.

Our Private Legislatures

2004-09-24T17:11:00-05:00

Ever wonder what outside financial interests a legislator in your state might have? This Center project makes thousands of state legislators’ outside interest disclosure filings available online.

Genetics

2004-06-02T17:13:00-05:00

The Center’s worldwide investigation into the scientific, legal, ethical, and human rights implications of cloning and stem cell research, as well as efforts to ban controversial cloning practices.

Windfalls of War

2003-10-30T17:14:40-05:00

A comprehensive examination of companies that won contracts for work in Iraq and Afghanistan — and of their campaign contributions, led by General Electric and Vinnell Corporation (the former Northrup Grumman).

Silent Partners

2003-09-25T17:15:01-05:00

The Center’s investigation of nonprofit political organizations known as 527 groups, a major source of money and influence in state and federal elections in the 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006 campaigns.

Harmful Error

2003-06-26T17:16:01-05:00

Who suffers when prosecutors break the rules? The Center pursued this question in every state and found 2,000 cases overturned or otherwise modified by judges on account of prosecutorial misconduct.

Hired Guns

2003-05-15T17:18:00-05:00

High-profile federal lobbying scandals tend to obscure state-level lobbying, but influence buying is at least a $1 billion-a-year industry across the 50 states, with more than 1,300 ex-legislators lobbying ranks.

Party Lines

2003-03-25T17:14:01-05:00

The Center tracked political influence through 2004 in all 50 states by profiling organizational, individual, and industry donors, as well as the top consultants hired by state parties and caucus committees.