Justin Elliott

Reporter

Photo of Justin Elliott

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

In 2023, he and colleagues revealed how a set of politically connected billionaires provided lavish gifts and travel to Supreme Court justices over many years. Those stories won the Pulitzer Prize gold medal for public service.

He was previously on the team of reporters documenting how the rich avoid taxes for “The Secret IRS Files” series. He co-wrote a story revealing how tech mogul Peter Thiel turned a Roth IRA into a multibillion-dollar tax haven.

His work has spurred congressional investigations and changes to federal law. His coverage of TurboTax-maker Intuit’s misleading marketing tactics led to a settlement delivering $141 million back to consumers.

His work has won numerous awards. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, he has won a George Polk Award, the Selden Ring Award, and a Gerald Loeb Award for business journalism. His stories have been published and aired in outlets including The New York Times and NPR. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Brown University in history and classics.

You can send him feedback, story tips and documents via email at [email protected], or by Signal or WhatsApp at 774-826-6240.

Thinking about getting in touch? For more on how Justin handles tips and story ideas, read his piece on the important role of reader tips in the Supreme Court series.

Red Cross’ Latest Claim Includes ‘Donations of Blood’

The Red Cross CEO Has Been Serially Misleading About Where Donors’ Dollars Are Going

Internal Survey Shows the Red Cross' Own Employees Doubt the Charity's Ethics

Survey results obtained by ProPublica also show a crisis of trust in the charity's senior leadership.

The Red Cross’ Secret Disaster

After Superstorm Sandy, Americans opened their wallets to the Red Cross. They trusted the charity and believed it was up to the job. They were wrong.

Red Cross Reverses Stance on Sandy Spending “Trade Secrets”

The charity has released some new details on how it spent over $300 million raised after the storm.

Cuomo’s Office Denies Using Private Email Accounts. But it Does.

Aides to the governor have used private accounts, which can help hide communications on public business, despite state rules barring the practice.

Who Advised Cuomo on Mortgage Industry Investigation? A Mortgage Lobbyist

Howard Glaser was brought on to help then-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo on his mortgage industry investigation. Glaser was working for the industry at the same time.

Red Cross: How We Spent Sandy Money Is a 'Trade Secret'

The charity is fighting our public records request for information on how it raised and spent money after the superstorm.

House Adopts Amendment to Bar NSA From Meddling With Encryption Standards

The measure was inserted into a defense appropriations bill and approved on a voice vote.

N.Y. Attorney General Pressed Red Cross on Post-Sandy Spending, Then Retreated

The office of Attorney General Eric Schneiderman sought details on how the charity spent donations after the super-storm, but the information was never released.

House Committee Puts NSA on Notice Over Encryption Standards

Amendment would remove requirement that the National Institute of Standards and Technology consult with the NSA on encryption standards

After Pledge of Sunlight, Gov. Cuomo Officials Keep Their Email in the Shadows

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo entered office promising unprecedented transparency, but his aides' use of email offers quite a different picture

Long After Sandy, Red Cross Post-Storm Spending Still a Black Box

Donors gave $312 million after the storm, but it’s not clear how exactly the money was spent.

State Department Finally Releases List of 'Special Government Employees’

The department revealed the names following scrutiny last year on Clinton aide Huma Abedin.

Judge on NSA Case Cites 9/11 Report, But It Doesn't Actually Support His Ruling

A new ruling supporting the NSA's metadata surveillance program points to the 9/11 report as evidence for the necessity of such a program. Except the 9/11 report doesn’t contain the evidence the judge says it does.

Presidential Panel to NSA: Stop Undermining Encryption

A panel of experts appointed by President Obama says the U.S. government should get out of the business of weakening technology used to secure communications.

World of Spycraft: NSA and CIA Spied in Online Games

Snowden documents show intelligence agencies conducting surveillance and grabbing data in virtual worlds.

Who Are State Dept’s 100 “Special Government Employees"? It Won’t Say

Earlier this year Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin drew scrutiny for working at the State Department and a consulting firm at the same time. The agency is mum on who else had such an arrangement.

Special Government Employees Lists

Claim on “Attacks Thwarted” by NSA Spreads Despite Lack of Evidence

The agency, President Obama, and members of Congress have all said NSA spying programs have thwarted more than 50 terrorist plots. But there’s no evidence the claim is true.

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