WVUE - Lee Zurik

Lee Zurik Investigation: The retirement plan so good, it may be illegal

Lee Zurik — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:43:00 EDT

It's a little known perk that only benefits less than 20 percent of Jefferson Parish employees, but costs the parish millions every year. And our questions to a statewide official had her telling us that the benefit is illegal.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Washington bonuses cost taxpayers billions

Lee Zurik — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:14:00 EDT

Two Louisiana congressman find common ground across the aisle when it comes to the hugely-expensive bonuses and incentives, handed out in recent years by federal agencies including FEMA and the Veterans Health Administration. The White House has demanded cuts amid the nation's fiscal crises, but some agencies are bucking the trend. We'll examine the sky-high bonuses in our special investigation, "Out of Bounds."

Lee Zurik Investigation: A tale of two sheriffs

Lee Zurik — Wed, 8 May 2013 23:15:00 EDT

Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman writes the law firm Usry, Weeks & Matthews a bi-weekly check, totaling at least $65,000. The payment is made with little proof of work done by the law firm. They don't submit a detailed hourly billing account, don't even charge an hourly rate, only a bi-weekly flat fee with some added-on costs, for a total of about $1.7 million a year. In nearby St. John Parish, they have a much different arrangement.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Sheriff's budget bloated by mystery legal fees

Lee Zurik — Wed, 8 May 2013 22:22:00 EDT

Remember last year, when the Orleans Parish Sheriff told the City Council he needed more money for his operating budget? FOX 8 found some staggering expenditures for legal counsel that might help explain why money is so tight at Gusman's office.

Lee Zurik Investigation: 'Playing With Fire' prompts legislative backlash

Lee Zurik — Thu, 2 May 2013 23:38:00 EDT

A board of trustees that spent public money on alcohol and pricey meals may soon lose some of its members. A Louisiana House committee passed a bill Thursday that would alter the make-up of the New Orleans Fire Fighter's Pension & Relief Fund.

Lee Zurik Investigation: S&WB's overtime policy means millions down the drain

Lee Zurik — Wed, 1 May 2013 23:42:00 EDT

Almost three years ago, in the summer of 2010, we detailed sky-high overtime earnings for some Sewerage and Water Board employees. Officials there promised to reform. But our research shows the overtime has not just continued; in some ways, it's gotten worse.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Lawmaker's bill could hit Galvan where it hurts

Lee Zurik — Wed, 1 May 2013 16:59:00 EDT

A North Shore state representative thinks the St. Tammany Parish Coroner's salary could be reduced by the end of this year. Representative Tim Burns filed a bill Friday that he says will put an end to the abuses in the Coroner's Office.

Lee Zurik Investigation: FBI widens Galvan probe

Lee Zurik — Wed, 1 May 2013 16:57:00 EDT

The federal investigation now includes the purchase of a 40-acre piece of property by the St. Tammany Parish Coroner, property that measures a quarter mile on each side.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Dr. Galvan loses a contract

Lee Zurik — Wed, 1 May 2013 16:56:00 EDT

The cancellation of the contract with the City of Slidell happened earlier this month and follows a series of FOX 8 investigations that questioned Galvan's arrangement to take care of sick inmates at the jail.

Lee Zurik Investigation: House passes bill to curb Galvan's powers

Lee Zurik — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:22:00 EDT

Louisiana's House of Representatives has approved a bill that would give the St. Tammany Parish Council control over salaries and spending in the parish Coroner's Office.

Lee Zurik Investigation: S&WB chief set for huge retirement benefits

Lee Zurik — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 22:00:00 EDT

S&WB Executive Director Marcia St. Martin has been a public employee for 42 years, 22 of those at the Sewerage and Water Board. When she steps down at the end of this year, she'll receive a hefty paycheck.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Orleans judges held 6 separate life insurance policies

Lee Zurik — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 23:00:00 EDT

Orleans Criminal Court judges handed over records Tuesday to FOX 8 News and the Times-Picayune after we jointly filed suit. The judges agreed to give us both records related to life insurance policies they purchased.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Mineral Board approves more time for AG's "Dirty Deeds" probe

Lee Zurik — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:00:00 EDT

The State Mineral Board voted Wednesday to give the state attorney general's office four more months to investigate questionably obtained oil leases from the 1930's.

Web Exclusive: Astounding salary growth at STP Coroner's Office

Lee Zurik — Thu, 4 Apr 2013 17:05:00 EDT

St. Tammany Coroner Peter Galvan's salary, and those of his highest-ranking staff, have risen 619 percent since 2000.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Lawmakers target N.O. Firefighters Pension Fund for reform

Lee Zurik — Wed, 3 Apr 2013 23:00:00 EDT

It's a fund that FOX 8 examined in our "Playing with Fire" investigative series. That investigation lead to ethics charges being filed against two members of the pension board.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Police chief says Body of Evidence makes him sick

Lee Zurik — Mon, 1 Apr 2013 23:15:00 EDT

Dr. Peter Galvan makes $47,000 a year to take care of sick inmates for the Slidell Police Department. But since Randy Smith has been police chief, Galvan has never stepped foot inside the jail, sending a paramedic instead.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Breaking down Slidell's payments to coroner

Lee Zurik — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 23:11:00 EDT

Fresh answers from city officials in Slidell help us examine the city's working relationship with Dr. Peter Galvan, but they also raise yet more questions.

Lee Zurik Investigation: FBI wants Slidell's records in Galvan probe

Lee Zurik — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 23:00:00 EDT

Sources in St. Tammany Parish tell FOX 8 News the City of Slidell has received a subpoena from the FBI, asking for documents related to a contract with Dr. Peter Galvan.

Lee Zurik Investigation: "Concerned Citizens" groups to attempt coroner recall

Lee Zurik — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:25:00 EDT

A recall would allow voters to pick a new coroner and new salaries for Galvan's replacements and employees. But it's a difficult undertaking.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Coroner likely to keep high salary

Lee Zurik — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:24:00 EDT

We'll explain why the state constitution may help Dr. Peter Galvan keep his salary and we'll examine some questionable land deals, as well as the coroner's financial arrangement with one North Shore city.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Retirement plan gives Galvan plenty to smile about

Lee Zurik — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:17:00 EDT

St. Tammany Parish's coroner has decided to pay himself more than any other elected official in the state, and with that will come a hefty reward -- a lucrative retirement package -- when he steps aside as coroner.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Parish leaders cry foul over coroner cash-outs

Lee Zurik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:49:00 EDT

The St. Tammany Parish Council Chairman calls it bad government. A CPA says it may be fraudulent. We dig deeper into the records we uncovered that show the parish coroner and some of his high-ranking employees may have illegally paid themselves hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Web Exclusive: St. Tammany Coroner's Office cash-outs not limited to Galvan

Lee Zurik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:49:00 EDT

Lee Zurik reports that only a handful of St. Tammany Coroner's employees were able to cash out unused sick and vacation time.

Lee Zurik Investigation: FBI investigating St. Tammany coroner

Lee Zurik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:37:00 EDT

The feds are demanding that Dr. Peter Galvan turn over several documents, including credit card statements and other records of expenditures at the coroner's office.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Citizens group begins Galvan recall effort

Lee Zurik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:34:00 EDT

To hold a recall election for a parish-wide official in St. Tammany Parish, signatures would need to be collected from 53,000 registered voters.

Lee Zurik Investigation: How many cars does a coroner need?

Lee Zurik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:30:00 EDT

We became curious after we sent a simple request to the St. Tammany Parish Coroner asking for a list of all employee take home vehicles, and who the coroner assigned them to.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Galvan's salary, wet bar face scrutiny

Lee Zurik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:19:00 EDT

Drawings of the St. Tammany Parish Coroner's new complex in Lacombe show the good doctor has a wet bar attached to his office -- and taxpayers paid for it.

Lee Zurik Investigation: St. Tammany coroner gives himself 39 percent raise

Lee Zurik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:15:00 EDT

A parish coroner on the North Shore makes more money than most state and federal officials. And it looks like the state legislature helped make that salary a reality. Lee Zurik reports in his "Body of Evidence" investigation.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Coroner financial chief's numbers don't add up

Lee Zurik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:54:00 EDT

We've discovered new information that shows the St. Tammany Parish Coroner is not the only employee at his office essentially getting paid twice to go on vacation. We examine the case of Kim Kelly, the coroner's chief financial officer and also a certified public accountant, in this update on our "Body of Evidence" investigation.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Policy manual shows Galvan may have broken law

Lee Zurik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:53:00 EDT

The St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office told the parish president there is no formal, written policy for sick and vacation time there. But we located the office's latest policy ourselves, and it could spell trouble for Dr. Peter Galvan.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Galvan snubs legislative auditor's records request

Lee Zurik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:47:00 EDT

St. Tammany's parish president adds her voice to those demanding Parish Coroner Peter Galvan's timesheets. So far, the good doctor is not budging.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Facebook, wine country and Dr. Peter Galvan

Lee Zurik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:46:00 EDT

According to the St. Tammany Parish Coroner's paychecks, Dr. Peter Galvan had no weekday fun outside of Louisiana in 2011 and 2012. That's because the records show he took no vacation those two years. Instead he cashed out his unused vacation and sick time and paid himself $67,000. But a quick tour of the Facebook page belonging to Galvan's wife shows a different story.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Coroner's cashed-out vacation days don't make sense

Lee Zurik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:45:00 EDT

We went directly to the St. Tammany Parish Coroner's Office Friday to obtain public records that could show us if Dr. Peter Galvan may have illegally paid himself taxpayer money. They provided the records, but a quick look at the paperwork in the parking lot sent us right back inside.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Did St. Tammany voters give Dr. Galvan too much?

Lee Zurik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:44:00 EDT

Parish coroner Peter Galvan campaigned hard for voter approval of a 4-mill tax measure in order to build a state-of-the-art DNA lab. He got that approval, and the lab, and millions of dollars more.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Citizens group says coroner must go

Lee Zurik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:43:00 EDT

Following the findings of our "Body of Evidence" probe, the group Concerned Citizens of St. Tammany says Dr. Peter Galvan must resign. But some parish leaders say it's too early to talk about pushing Galvan out of office.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Coroner's financial statements an eye-opener

Lee Zurik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:42:00 EDT

St. Tammany's coroner, Dr. Peter Galvan, has to file a financial disclosure form with the state every year. What this tells us is that he makes even more public dollars than we first reported in our "Body of Evidence" investigation..

Lee Zurik Investigation: Snack cakes, Chianti and your taxes

Lee Zurik — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:41:00 EDT

In this installment of Lee Zurik's "Body of Evidence" investigation, we examine some of the receipts from public credit card spending by the St. Tammany Coroner and his CFO.

St. Tammany Council: Galvan must resign as coroner

Lee Zurik — Thu, 7 Mar 2013 22:27:00 EST

The St. Tammany Parish Council has voted 13-1, asking Coroner Peter Galvan to resign. The council also voted unanimously to ask Galvan to pay back about $175,000. That's money that Galvan allegedly paid himself in unused vacation and sick time.

Lee Zurik Investigation: AG's office delays "Dirty Deeds" probe

Lee Zurik — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 23:22:00 EST

A local researcher has concerns about the attorney general's investigation into questionably obtained oil and gas leases.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Council wants to question coroner, but will he show up?

Lee Zurik — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:35:00 EST

The St. Tammany Parish Council wants the coroner, Dr. Peter Galvan, to answer questions at the next council meeting. According to the council, they are ready to cut funding to Galvan's office. It's the latest development in our "Body of Evidence" investigation.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Public cash for pricey drinks? You’ve been swiped again

Lee Zurik — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 10:18:00 EST

Former JEDCO executive director Lucien Gunter insists he never bought alcohol with public funds, something that state law clearly disallows. But our "Swiped Again" investigation uncovered receipts that seem to prove otherwise.

Chris Rose: "60 second" interview with Lee Zurik

Tue, 5 Feb 2013 10:26:00 EST

Chris Rose sits down with Fox 8's Investigative Reporter Lee Zurik for a "60 second" interview.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Ethics charges filed in `Playing With Fire` case

Lee Zurik — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 20:53:00 EST

The State Ethics Board filed the charges against a current member and a former member of the N.O. Firefighters Pension Board.

Lee Zurik Investigation: IG to examine allegations of 'Playing With Fire'

Lee Zurik — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:37:00 EST

New Orleans Inspector General Ed Quatrevaux says he plans to do an audit on the New Orleans Firefighters Pension and Relief Fund. It follows our findings, laid out in three stories that questioned salaries, spending and whether the board broke the law.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Playing With Fire

Lee Zurik — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:37:00 EST

You may not know it, but decisions by one public board could cost New Orleans taxpayers millions of dollars every year. We examine the case of Richard Hampton, whose staggering pay raise at the New Orleans Firefighters Pension and Relief Fund has some observers shaking their heads.

Lee Zurik Investigation: `Playing with Fire`... on the golf course

Lee Zurik — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:36:00 EST

We hoped to talk with Fire Pension Board president Bud Carrouche about potential ethics violations linked to the board, including the hiring of his son at a golf club owned by the board. Carrouche's response: "Oh no."

Lee Zurik Investigation: Board doesn't like ‘Playing With Fire’

Lee Zurik — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:36:00 EST

The New Orleans Fire Pension Board sent a letter to all of its membership, blasting a series of stories by FOX 8 News. Our Playing With Fire series questioned spending, salaries, investments and the employment of the board's CEO.

Lee Zurik Investigation: ‘Playing With Fire’ and pointing fingers

Lee Zurik — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:35:00 EST

For every tax dollar you pay to City Hall, 10 cents go directly to the New Orleans Firefighters Pension Fund to help fill a huge cash shortfall. A recent audit shows its funding shortfall at $270 million -- that comes to about $750 per New Orleanian.

'Playing With Fire' update: Pension board to review card use

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:35:00 EST

The Firefighters Pension Board's policy states they have an expense review committee. The problem is they never created one, until Thursday.

Lee Zurik Investigation: ‘Playing With Fire’… and Joe Meals

Lee Zurik — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:35:00 EST

What would you do with 50 dollars? Grab a casual bite to eat, maybe fill up your car with gas. For every New Orleanian, $50 of their money will likely have to go into the New Orleans Firefighters Pension and Relief Fund -- for the failure of one investment.

Lee Zurik Investigation: ‘Playing With Fire’ on a Monopoly board

Lee Zurik — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:34:00 EST

To you, money may be green. But the mayor of New Orleans says money comes in all different colors for the New Orleans Firefighters Pension and Relief Fund, just like in the game Monopoly.

Lee Zurik Investigation: ‘Playing With Fire’… at the wine bar

Lee Zurik — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:34:00 EST

Why does a small pension fund, with only three employees and 10 board members, need 11 credit cards? The New Orleans Firefighters Pension and Relief Fund gives a credit card to all but one board member.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Hampton not only one 'Playing With Fire'

Lee Zurik — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 19:33:00 EST

Richard Hampton's position with the New Orleans Firefighters Pension Board appears to be a Louisiana anomaly. We have questions about his employment, and whether he can serve as a board member and a paid employee.

Lee Zurik Investigation: AG wants four more months for `Dirty Deeds` report

Lee Zurik — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:00:00 EST

The Attorney General's office says it needs more time to fully brief state officials on the notorious Win or Lose oil and gas deals, dating from the 1930's.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Payback at the RTA?

Lee Zurik — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 23:20:00 EST

Imagine being threatened with your job for voting no. That's what one local attorney says happened with one local board. We investigate the RTA and possible threats made by the board's attorney.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Federal angle to 'Dirty Deeds'?

Lee Zurik — Wed, 7 Nov 2012 23:39:00 EST

We've already showed you how the descendents of three Louisiana governors have made millions off questionable state oil leases. Now FOX 8 News has learned that they may be profiting from a federal oil lease, too.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Living large in Harahan

Lee Zurik — Thu, 1 Nov 2012 23:20:00 EDT

Would you ever build a house on land you didn't own? Or purchase property for a friend, taking on all legal risks, for little to nothing in return? They're not hypothetical scenarios, as it turns out, and some people involved are on the FBI's radar.

Lee Zurik Investigation: School board leader spending freely, despite ethics fine

Lee Zurik — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 23:00:00 EDT

Thomas Robichaux is the president of the Orleans Parish School Board. He's running for re-election, but according to the Louisiana Board of Ethics he can't spend any campaign money. That hasn't stopped him.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Nungesser confirms FBI subpoena

Lee Zurik — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 18:55:00 EDT

The subpoena calls for documents related to Phil Ramon, a consultant and former Kenner govt. official, and attorney Joanne Mantis.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Federal subpoena linked to Phil Ramon

Lee Zurik — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:31:00 EDT

A source says that federal grand jury subpoena asks the Plaquemines Parish government to hand over a long list of documents, all related to Phil Ramon.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Man charged in SDT dumping case exonerated

Lee Zurik — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 23:30:00 EDT

A judge has dismissed charges against a Gretna man accused of stealing a truck owned by the garbage company SDT. It's a case that dates back to 2009, and it had SDT owner Sidney Torres offering a $10,000 reward for the person who did it.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Ethics Board charges Aaron Bennett, two attorneys

Lee Zurik — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 22:30:00 EDT

Bennett's company, Benetech, bid on a lucrative construction management contract with then-Plaquemines Sheriff Jiff Hingle. Their point of contact was Hingle's attorney, Stephen Braud.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Breaking down the Hingle-Bennett case

Wed, 3 Oct 2012 17:39:00 EDT

Federal prosecutors have filed criminal charges against a long-time Louisiana sheriff and a powerful government contractor.

Lee Zurik Investigation: AG took campaign contributions from 'Dirty Deeds' heirs

Lee Zurik — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 23:15:00 EDT

We detailed the "Dirty Deeds" in a series of stories in May. It prompted the State Mineral Board to ask the AG to see if the state has a way out of those lucrative leases, with no end date, that have paid the heirs more than $1 billion in today's money.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Politicians owe the state thousands in fines

Lee Zurik — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:22:00 EDT

The State Ethics Board requires candidates and elected officials to file paperwork with the state every year -- if they're late or don't file it, they face a fine. But we learned that many haven't paid up.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Findings cast doubt on ESPN wiretap story

Lee Zurik — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 23:12:00 EDT

Back in May, we reported one source for ESPN was a former Saints game day employee who was fired by the team after accusations of improper billings.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Nagin left plenty of evidence for federal investigators

Lee Zurik — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 10:39:00 EDT

Some legal analysts think words spoken and actions possibly taken by former Mayor Ray Nagin could come back to haunt him in federal court.

Lee Zurik Investigation: While fishermen suffered, Jiff Hingle's friends got work

Lee Zurik — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 17:02:00 EDT

FOX 8 News has detailed questionable business dealings between a former FBI agent and a now former powerful elected official. Now we have new information that may infuriate anyone who was shut out of work after the BP oil spill.

Lee Zurik Investigation: SL 340 just the tip of the 'Dirty Deeds' iceberg

Lee Zurik — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:09:00 EDT

PART 3 - We've told you about State Lease 340, and how the oil royalties from it put some $273 million in the pockets of the family and friends of Huey P. Long. But SL 340 is just one lease; Part three of our "Dirty Deeds" investigation lays out the entire scheme, and the riches that came of it.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Dashcam video shows parish attorney's arrest

Lee Zurik — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:39:00 EDT

We don't often get video of a public official trying to use his position to get out of an arrest.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Lobbyist claims ignorance about Noe’s ‘Dirty Deeds’

Lee Zurik — Tue, 22 May 2012 23:39:00 EDT

UPDATE - We roamed the halls of the State Capitol, trying to find out why a state House committee overwhelmingly voted down a resolution that asked the attorney general to look at questionable oil leases. What we found was a lobbyist and a lawmaker, working behind the scenes to get the resolution voted down.

Lee Zurik Investigation: 'Dirty Deeds' may finally get legal scrutiny they deserve

Lee Zurik — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:06:00 EDT

UPDATE -The State Mineral Board has signed and is in the process of delivering a resolution to Attorney General Buddy Caldwell to investigate questionable leases from the 1930's. We continue our investigation into "Dirty Deeds" and consider what the state has (and has not) done in the past to try and cancel these leases.

Lee Zurik Investigation: House panel dumps 'Dirty Deeds' resolution

Lee Zurik — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:05:00 EDT

UPDATE - The state's House Judiciary Committee rejected a resolution by Rep. Pat Connick, calling on the Attorney General's Office to examine the questionable state oil leases to the Win or Lose Corporation. Sources tell FOX 8 News that heirs to the Win or Lose interest have been lobbying some lawmakers all week on the issue.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Mineral Board member didn't know about 'Dirty Deeds'

Lee Zurik — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:06:00 EDT

PART 2 - If a governor did today what was done in 1936 and got interest in a contract he awarded, he would likely go to prison. It begs the question -- if it's something illegal now, then why wouldn't the state have recourse to reclaim the people's property, the people's money?

Lee Zurik Investigation: Governor Jindal wants probe of 'Dirty Deeds'

Lee Zurik — Fri, 11 May 2012 23:13:00 EDT

UPDATE - Governor Bobby Jindal says the state's Attorney General needs to look at the findings from a series of FOX 8 investigative reports entitled "Dirty Deeds".

Lee Zurik Investigation: Mineral Board wants AG probe of 'Dirty Deeds'

Lee Zurik — Thu, 10 May 2012 12:39:00 EDT

PART 6 - The panel that oversees Louisiana's oil and gas leases wants the state Attorney General to investigate leases to the Win or Lose Corporation. So do some state lawmakers. But will the AG's office act?

Lee Zurik Investigation: Lawmakers seek to clean up 'Dirty Deeds'

Lee Zurik — Wed, 9 May 2012 08:12:00 EDT

PART 5 - Some state lawmakers have drafted a resolution, trying to stop a scheme Huey Long started almost 80 years ago.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Who's still making money from 'Dirty Deeds'?

Lee Zurik — Tue, 8 May 2012 01:45:00 EDT

PART 4 - Descendants of the Win or Lose Corporation continue to get money -- millions every year -- and many of them aren't your neighbors. The Win or Lose heirs have scattered to at least 21 states.

Lee Zurik Investigation: 'Dirty Deeds' cost Louisiana hundreds of millions

Lee Zurik — Tue, 8 May 2012 01:44:00 EDT

PART 1 - It may be the biggest inside job in Louisiana history: vast expanses of oil- and gas-rich land and water bottoms, owned by the state but handed over to some of Louisiana's most powerful politicians. Here's part one of Lee Zurik's "Dirty Deeds" special report.

Lee Zurik Investigation: ESPN's Loomis source fired by Saints in 2007

Lee Zurik — Wed, 2 May 2012 05:49:00 EDT

Multiple sources tell FOX 8 News that a fired sound and electrical worker for the Saints is the initial source who told ESPN's John Barr that Mickey Loomis' Superdome box had been secretly re-wired to listen in on visiting teams' coaching staffs.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Booze, bingo and strippers, paid for with public assistance

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:28:00 EDT

Fairgrounds, liquor stores, tattoo parlors, bingo centers, casinos -- when you're hurting for money, they're some of the last places you should be spending your cash.

Zurik, WVUE win second national award for Hingle investigation

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 11:36:00 EDT

Lee Zurik and the WVUE investigative team won another national award Tuesday for their investigation into former Plaquemines Parish Sheriff Jiff Hingle and businessman Aaron Bennett, this time from The Society of Professional Journalists.

Int'l organization raises concern over Lee Zurik target practice

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:58:00 EDT

The International Press Institute says the St. Bernard deputies' actions raise grave questions over attitudes with the media, especially since the deputies are sworn to uphold

Calls for punishment in questionable target practice using Lee Zurik's photo

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:57:00 EDT

A local crime watchdog says questionable target practice by some St. Bernard Parish deputies calls for punishment.The head of the Metropolitan Crime Commission says there

Lee Zurik Investigation: Reading email costs public big bucks

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

The RTA is refusing to answer FOX 8's questions about its lead attorney.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Lawmaker demands fix for voter law

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

New Orleans -- “There's clearly some fraud there,” state Representative Helena Moreno said.Moreno, says, in her mind, the law is clear: voters must

Lee Zurik Investigation: Registrar of voters can be a six-figure job

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

You've probably never heard of a public employee named Dennis DiMarco. But you may want his job.He's the registrar of voters in Jefferson Parish. He's paid

Lee Zurik Investigation: More questionable voting uncovered in St. Bernard

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says the law is clear: Candidates have until nine days after an election to protest a vote.So, for St. Bernard Assessor candidate Jimmy

Lee Zurik Investigation: Hingle pleads guilty

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

Former Plaquemines Parish Sheriff Jiff Hingle pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Benetech sues, court watchers dumbfounded

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

The Metropolitan Crime Commission's Rafael Goyeneche has few words to describe a lawsuit filed in a local courtroom last month.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Auditor releases scathing report on Hingle

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

The state's legislative auditor comes down hard on former Plaquemines Parish Sheriff Jiff Hingle.The findings have been laid out in an audit that's expected

Lee Zurik Investigation: Former FBI agent tosses loan, beachside dinner, LSU tickets to Hingle

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

All can be eye-catching alone -- but combine a former FBI agent, millions of dollars of contracts, an LSU football trip and an expensive beachside dinner, and it all adds up to

Lee Zurik Investigation: Will feds raise the pressure on Hingle?

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

The question for this former sheriff sounds simple; the implications of how he answers could be significant.Did Jiff Hingle receive gifts, a loan and contracts from

Lee Zurik Investigation: Emails paint a picture of parties and potential corruption

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

The public doesn't normally get a look at emails like these emails we dug up that reveal a company pushing for a no-bid contract -- emails in which a public official asks for

Former city attorney won't comment about Lee Zurik Investigation

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

A former deputy city attorney told the Times-Picayune he has no comment on a FOX 8 News story from last night.

Lee Zurik Investigation: Patricia Core under federal investigation

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

The FBI has launched an investigation into the St. Tammany Parish Assessor's Office and Assessor Patricia Core. The investigation comes after a FOX 8 investigation

Lee Zurik Investigation: Nungesser-BP deal examined

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

A parish president who recently lost the race for lieutenant governor may have broken state law.This all dates back to right after the BP oil spill, but new information has surfaced that has one ethics

Lee Zurik Investigation: RTA chair calls Zurik ‘dishonorable’, ducks spending questions

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

Regional Transit Authority Board Chairwoman Barbara Major won't answer our questions. And we have many, after spending the past few months trying to get copies of their records of a 2010 bond deal worth $75 million that helped fund streetcar expansion.

Lee Zurik Investigation: OIG calls Armstrong Airport 'pit of corruption'

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

Rarely do you hear the city's inspector general call out a local board.But an audio recording of a recent board meeting had New Orleans’ inspector general

Taking aim at Lee Zurik's photograph

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

A local sheriff is apologizing and promising to change departmental policy when it comes to target practice. The developments came after FOX 8 uncovered chilling evidence

Lee Zurik Investigation: S&WB compensations may factor into rate decision

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:48:00 EDT

In 2010, the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board paid 43 million dollars in wages to employees. That doesn't count benefits, including retirement. Also, as

Lee Zurik Investigation: S&WB ratepayers funding exec’s $1M retirement plan

Lee Zurik — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:05:00 EDT

"The Sewerage and Water system is not the problem. You guys are the problem. Lack of leadership, and accountability, that's where the problem is at."

Lafourche plans $6M in flood projects

Wire and Staff Reports — Sat, 18 May 2013 15:59:00 EDT

Lafourche Parish is preparing to begin more than $6 million in flood protection projects for the Raceland and Des Allemands areas.

Chief: Not jailing all beating suspects a mistake

Wire and Staff Reports — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:23:00 EDT

Baton Rouge's police chief says it was a mistake not to take everyone to jail accused in the beating of a family at a gas station.

New Orleans says gunfire won't end 'second lines'

Wire and Staff Reports — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:14:00 EDT

New Orleans officials and cultural advocates say the Mother's Day parade shootings that left 20 people injured won't spell the end of second-line parades, the local tradition that celebrates the city and its people.

NOPD investigates two overnight murders

FOX8Live.com Staff — Sat, 18 May 2013 09:34:00 EDT

Police are investigating two fatal shootings that left a 37-year-old man dead in Central City and a 20 -year-old man dead in the Florida area.

Woman killed in Algiers shooting Friday night

FOX8Live.com Staff — Sat, 18 May 2013 09:27:00 EDT

The New Orleans Police Department is investigating a shooting in the 1200 block of Horace Street that killed a woman Friday night.

Whooping crane shooting death reward

FOX8Live.com Staff — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:33:00 EDT

The shooting death of a whooping crane has Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials asking for help from the public.

Pre-trial services report on Mother's Day shooting suspect

Natasha Robin — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:25:00 EDT

FOX 8 obtained a copy of a pre-trial services report on one of the suspected gunmen in the Mother's Day shooting.

Spirit of the Bayou: Thibodaux doctors take on the distillery business

Nancy Parker — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:14:00 EDT

A couple of Thibodaux doctors in the business of making people well have a new venture aimed at simply making people feel good.

Improving playgrounds to stop violence

Carolyn Scofield — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:13:00 EDT

Ray Lewis ended his long football career with a Super Bowl win on the turf and now, 8-year old Scooter Compton gets to play on it.

NOPD: 7th person arrested in Mother's Day shooting case

Meg Gatto — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:28:00 EDT

Investigators with the New Orleans Police Department arrested 19-year-old Monique Pepe Friday for having allowed Shawn Scott to hide out at her residence.

FOX 8 Defenders: Verdicts in "Hounded" trial

Shelley Brown — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:53:00 EDT

After two days of testimony, Lafourche Parish Judge Hugh LaRose rendered verdicts in the trial of a Thibodaux man accused of animal cruelty and noise code violations.

FOX 8 Defenders: Trial continues in case of Lafourche animal cruelty

FOX8Live.com Staff — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:26:00 EDT

The trial of a Lafourche Parish man facing animal cruelty charges and charges he violated the parish noise ordinance continues Wednesday in Thibodaux.

FOX 8 Defenders: "Hounded" trial postponed to May

Shelley Brown — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:06:00 EDT

The trial of a Thibodaux man facing animal cruelty charges and animal noise code violations has been postponed.

FOX 8 Defenders: Customers say national company fails to deliver products

Shelley Brown — Thu, 4 Apr 2013 22:30:00 EDT

A company that claims to be the nation's largest manufacturer of portable and modular buildings has some pretty frustrated customers in Louisiana. They say they've paid Morgan Buildings and Spas hundreds of dollars in down payments for products they've waited months for and still don't have.

FOX 8 Defenders: "Hounded" trial begins in Lafourche

Shelley Brown — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:08:00 EDT

The trial of a Lafourche Parish man accused of animal cruelty and animal noise code violations started Thursday afternoon. But after three and a half hours of testimony in the case against Chris Michot, the court continued the trial to April 16.

FOX 8 Defenders: Contractor left unfinished work, didn't have proper license

Shelley Brown — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 23:00:00 EST

A New Orleans homeowner says her contractor has delayed her potential disaster recovery fund reimbursements, and after investigating, the FOX 8 Defenders found he shouldn't have even worked on the renovation project.

FOX 8 Defenders: Prosecutors build bigger case against pastor

Shelley Brown — Wed, 6 Feb 2013 13:14:00 EST

Prepared to go to trial today, Pastor Elijah Mealancon got worked up when he heard prosecutors tell the judge they would be filing a new bill of information.

FOX 8 Defenders: Local Festiva dispute settled

Shelley Brown — Tue, 5 Feb 2013 11:20:00 EST

The FOX 8 Defenders started investigating the national resort rental company for alleged fraud a year and a half ago.

Metairie woman frustrated with multiple random power outages

Shelley Brown — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 23:21:00 EST

Kucera received help from the FOX 8 Defenders for after several requests to Entergy go unanswered

FOX 8 Defenders: Michot and animal waste complaints

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:55:00 EST

An update to an ongoing FOX 8 Defenders investigation involving a Lafourche Parish man, facing animal cruelty charges.

Bayou Fabio: "Don of Dularge" speaks to FOX 8

Carolyn Scofield — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:20:00 EDT

In the murky waters near Dulac, something lurks beneath the surface. Bayou Fabio takes us on the hunt.

Waterfalls within driving distance of New Orleans

John Snell — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:42:00 EDT

Clark Creek features dozens of waterfalls, nestled in the very southwestern corner of Mississippi

Woman stabs boyfriend for ‘farting in her face’

Tue, 14 May 2013 11:41:00 EDT

Police say that a Florida woman stabbed her boyfriend late last week because he "farted in her face."

Family of Terrilynn Monette returns to N.O.

Jennifer Hale — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:23:00 EDT

26-year-old Monette disappeared from Lakeview on March 2, but her mother, Toni Enclade, says she knows Monette is still alive.

Residents and business leaders blast flood insurance hikes

Sabrina Wilson — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:17:00 EDT

Southeast Louisiana has suffered significant flooding from storms and hurricanes in recent years. But property owners say they do not deserve what Washington is dishing out.

Traffic stop leads to weapons and drug charges

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:52:00 EDT

New Orleans police say officers from the Sixth District Task Force pulled over a car for a broken tail-light and wound up with a much bigger case.