Justin Elliott

Reporter

Photo of Justin Elliott

Justin Elliott has been a reporter with ProPublica since 2012, where he covers business and politics.

In recent years, he was on the team of reporters documenting how the rich avoid taxes for “The Secret IRS Files” series. He co-wrote the story revealing tech mogul Peter Thiel’s multibillion-dollar Roth IRA.

Previously, his work on TurboTax-maker Intuit’s misleading marketing tactics led to a settlement that delivered $141 million back to consumers.

He has produced stories for outlets including The New York Times and NPR, and his work has spurred congressional investigations and changes to federal legislation.

He has won numerous awards, including a Gerald Loeb Award for business journalism, the Selden Ring Award, an Investigative Reporters and Editors award for a series on the American Red Cross and, with the “Trump, Inc.” podcast team, a duPont-Columbia Award. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Brown University in history and classics.

He can be reached on Signal and WhatsApp at 774-826-6240.

Meet the Media Companies Lobbying Against Transparency

Corporations that own some of the country’s biggest news outlets are fighting an FCC measure to post political ad data on the Internet.

Broadcasters Are ‘Against Transparency,’ Says FCC Chairman

Julius Genachowski criticizes TV stations for trying to keep political ad data off the Internet.

Why the FCC Fined Google Just 68 Seconds in Profits

The FCC found that Google stonewalled a probe. The punishment? $25,000.

Behind Closed Doors, Broadcasters Battle Online Disclosure of Political Ad Buys

TV stations are taking their lobbying efforts directly to the FCC, which is expected to vote later this month on whether public data about what ads are bought, who bought them and for how much must be posted online.

Law Shrouds Details of Congressional Trips Abroad

Members of Congress normally have to disclose where they travel overseas, whom they visit and how much the trip cost — but not under a little-known State Department program that keeps those details and others a secret.

Meet Bahrain's Best Friend in Congress

How a Democrat from American Samoa became the beleaguered regime's most reliable booster.

A Tangled Web: Who’s Making Money From All This Campaign Spending?

Many have been detailing the vast sums being raised by the presidential candidates and the super PACs supporting them. But where are all those millions being spent?

A Tangled Web: Who's Making Money From All This Campaign Spending?

Could Corporations Take Tax Breaks on Political 'Dark Money'?

Businesses may be able to use undisclosed, unlimited donations to save on their taxes.

When the GOP Tried to Ban Dark Money

For a brief moment a decade ago, it was Republicans who wanted disclosure of anonymous political donations that Democrats now decry.

NYC’s Anti-Profiling Law: ‘Not Worth Paper It’s Written On’

A law signed by Mayor Bloomberg bars profiling by police based on religion. So, why hasn’t there been an investigation of the NYPD’s surveillance of Muslims?

Did the NYPD's Spying on Muslims Violate the Law?

We interview an expert and explore whether the New York police crossed the line.

Bahraini 'Reformers' in Washington, Courtesy of American Spinmeisters

The tiny Persian Gulf country is using American flacks to undermine support for the opposition.

Revelations on NYPD Surveillance of Muslims Contradict Bloomberg Claims

Last summer, New York Mayor Bloomberg said the police department focuses on threats, not religion. A new report suggests otherwise.

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