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Alex Mierjeski

I’m a research reporter at ProPublica based in New York.

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What I Cover

I cover a wide range of stories as a part of ProPublica’s national team. Most recently, I’ve contributed to investigations of the Supreme Court and the federal judiciary, as well as President Donald Trump’s business dealings.

My Background

I’ve worked with both local and national teams at ProPublica, where I’ve been a research reporter since 2020.

My work alongside colleagues in the newsroom has spurred change, driven news cycles and won awards. In 2024, my colleagues and I received the Pulitzer Prize for public service for our work revealing ties between Supreme Court justices and billionaire benefactors. Our stories helped lead to the court establishing a code of conduct — a first in its history. Our work also won a George Polk Award, the Selden Ring Award and an Investigative Reporters and Editors medal.

Prior to ProPublica I was a post-graduate reporting fellow at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Big Jim

Gov. Jim Justice’s Companies Have Now Reached $140 Million in Lawsuit Settlements and Judgments Over Unpaid Bills

A company owned by West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice agreed to a $4.4 million settlement over missed coal shipments. ProPublica previously reported that Justice’s businesses were sued dozens of times for millions in unpaid bills.

Local Reporting Network

Big Jim

This Billionaire Governor’s Been Sued Over Unpaid Bills. A Judge Just Ordered Him to Pay More.

On Wednesday, another company owned by Gov. Jim Justice was ordered to pay nearly $2.8 million in a judgment over unpaid bills. The ruling comes just weeks before West Virginia’s primary election, where Justice is campaigning for a second term.

Local Reporting Network

Big Jim

See Who’s Taken Gov. Jim Justice to Court Over Unpaid Bills

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a billionaire and the state’s richest man, has a long list of debt-collection cases. In the most complete analysis of his legal record to date, ProPublica found dozens totaling more than $128 million.

Local Reporting Network

The Real Bosses of New Jersey

See How This Political Boss and His Associates Bought Up Valuable Land After A Tax Break Law

Camden’s waterfront sat vacant for decades, but George E. Norcross III helped to usher in lucrative tax breaks. The land went to his friends and allies.

Local Reporting Network

Trump Town: Track White House Staff, Cabinet Members and Political Appointees Across the Government

Tracking White House staffers, Cabinet members and political appointees across the government

Campus Complicity

Assaults, Bullying, Rape: A Lawsuit Against One Professor Claims a University Didn’t Stop Him

Former University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign professor Gary Gang Xu assaulted and threatened students while university officials downplayed complaints, a lawsuit says. He ultimately resigned, taking $10,000 as part of his separation agreement.

Local Reporting Network

Campus Complicity

At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Preserving the Reputations of Sexual Harassers

An administrator resigned amid sexual harassment accusations. Another college hired him. A professor was found to have stalked a coworker. She agreed to retire, then won a Fulbright grant. Campus leaders vow reforms, but many say it’s a long road.

Local Reporting Network

Campus Complicity

One Campus. Seven Professors Facing Harassment Accusations. Few Consequences.

We found several sexual harassment allegations against University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign faculty that haven’t been publicly reported. Here’s a rundown of the accusations, the consequences each faced and their responses.

Local Reporting Network

Campus Complicity

Have You Experienced Sexual Misconduct at an Illinois University or College? We Want to Hear From You.

We’d like to hear about your experience with misconduct on campus, or if you were subjected to it but did not or could not file a report. We need help understanding flaws in the systems intended to hold perpetrators accountable.

Local Reporting Network

The Real Bosses of New Jersey

A Huge Tax Break Went to a Politically Connected Company in New Jersey Despite Red Flags

Holtec International told New Jersey regulators that Ohio was competing for its new headquarters. But officials there stripped the firm of past tax awards for failing to create the jobs it promised.

Local Reporting Network