FREELANCE INVESTIGATIVE DATA JOURNALIST
RELENTLESS.
I persistently weave data, records and research into a compelling narrative designed to pull readers and viewers in.
My award-winning investigative data work has led to changes in laws and policies, exposed an international human trafficking ring, inspired the American Civil Liberties Union to sue Denver Police and win $3.76 million, prompted a Congressional inquiry, pushed state legislators to create a fact-finding task force and compelled a sheriff’s office to fire a troublesome deputy.
Work Samples
I found more than 100 Colorado nursing homes that experienced COVID-19 outbreaks were fined for poor infection control and other pandemic-related failures — but those very same facilities also pocketed financial bonuses tied to infection rates. The story won a 2022 regional Emmy and prompted a Congressional inquiry.
I spent months fighting the Denver Police Department for body camera footage and police records in my pursuit to understand a warrant that upended a 77-year-old grandmother’s life. The Denver Police Department's SWAT team searched Ruby Johnson’s home - but I discovered that the police did minimal due diligence before executing the warrant. The ACLU cited my reporting in their lawsuit against Denver Police that won millions of dollars.
The Colorado Sun:
Few burglaries are solved in Colorado each year. Here’s how one Lakewood musician got his stuff back anyway.
I weaved Colorado Bureau of Investigation data alongside the jaw-dropping story of one man’s fight to get his stuff back in a medium-turn story for The Colorado Sun. I showed how his journey is unique, but similar to other burglary cases throughout the state.
Collective Colorado:
More Colorado kids are accessing therapies, but state cuts to Medicaid could change that
I found more Colorado kids with developmental disabilities and other ailments are relying on occupational, physical and speech therapy to try to live easier lives. But – a budget crisis has crunched providers. State Medicaid spending for therapies has skyrocketed and I tried to figure out why for Collective Colorado.
The Denver Gazette:
Colorado sees increase in DUI deaths while enforcement drops
I found more people are dying from impaired driving accidents in Colorado but authorities statewide are pursuing less drunk driving cases than they were 10 years ago. I identified this trend in a trove of data and dug into the effects of the crashes on two Colorado families for The Denver Gazette.
BusinessDesk:
The real impact of short-changing water investment
I found Kiwis are at risk because of a lack of investment into New Zealand’s water infrastructure. People got sick because council water supplies lacked the recommended filtration, measures designed as Band-Aids to protect people are used as long-standing policies, and there are flaws in the way the government maintains data on long-term advisories.
Colorado Public Radio:
Colorado passed a law to crack down on dishonest officers by pulling their certifications. Has it worked?
I found systemic loopholes in the way Colorado polices untruthful law enforcement officers in a long-term investigation for Colorado Public Radio. I identified 15 officials who have a verified finding of untruthfulness from an internal affairs or criminal inquiry. All of these officers still have licenses to be peace officers elsewhere - if a department will hire them.
BusinessDesk:
Daycare dollars -- who's winning and losing?
Through a painstaking database build & analysis, I found huge companies have expanded their reach to more childcare centers across New Zealand. There are seven companies that commandeer at least 1,000 licensed childcare places and 17 companies with at least 500 licensed places for students. BusinessDesk published this collaborative investigation in July 2024.