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.

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.

How the NSA’s Claim on Thwarted Terrorist Plots Has Spread

In the months since revelations about NSA surveillance began, intelligence officials and members of Congress have claimed that the agency's efforts have thwarted 54 terrorist attacks. But a review of official statements shows the NSA has been inconsistent about how many plots have actually been thwarted and what the role the spying programs played. Despite a lack of evidence, Congress and the media have rushed to repeat the most extreme version of the NSA’s claims.

Government Standards Agency “Strongly” Suggests Dropping its Own Encryption Standard

The decision follows revelations about the NSA’s covert influence on computer security standards.

From Russia With PR

Commentaries published on CNBC.com and the Huffington Post were written by seemingly independent professionals but placed on behalf of the Russian government by its PR firm, Ketchum.

Johns Hopkins and the Case of the Missing NSA Blog Post

The university, which works closely with the NSA, apologizes to a professor after he was asked to remove his post.

What NSA Transparency Looks Like

Disclosures by the spy agency about violations of privacy rules have been almost entirely redacted.

NSA Says It Can't Search Its Own Emails

In response to a public records request, the super-snooping spy agency says it doesn’t have the technology.

Does the NSA Tap That? What We Still Don’t Know About the Agency’s Internet Surveillance

In a secret effort, the National Security Agency appears to be vacuuming up large swathes of the Internet.

Dark Money Group Spent on House Race, Then Told IRS It Didn’t

A Better America Now had spent money on mailers linking a congressional candidate to "left-wing extremists" and a controversy involving an endangered spider.

Remember When the Patriot Act Debate Was All About Library Records?

The early debate around a key provision wasn’t about anything like mass collection of phone records.

The NSA Black Hole: 5 Basic Things We Still Don’t Know About the Agency's Snooping

The recent leaks have shed light on one of the darkest corners of the U.S. government -- but when it comes to mass surveillance practices, clarity remains elusive.

Mass Surveillance in America: A Timeline of Loosening Laws and Practices

The evolution of the National Security Agency’s dragnet under Presidents Bush and Obama.

Six Facts Lost in the IRS Scandal

As Congress probes why the IRS flagged Tea Party applications, we offer some context on the rise of political social welfare nonprofits.

How the IRS’s Nonprofit Division Got So Dysfunctional

The IRS division responsible for flagging Tea Party groups has long been an agency afterthought, beset by mismanagement and financial constraints.

IRS Office That Targeted Tea Party Also Disclosed Confidential Docs From Conservative Groups

The IRS’s Cincinnati office last year sent ProPublica the unapproved applications for several conservative groups.

House Finance Chair Hensarling Goes on Ski Vacation with Wall Street

Shortly after becoming chair of the powerful House Financial Services Committee, Rep. Jeb Hensarling held a weekend fundraiser with lobbyists in Utah’s swanky Deer Valley.

In Key Senate Job, Ex-Lockheed Exec Replaced by Ex-Lockheed Lobbyist

As military contractors fight budget cuts, they get a friendly face on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Republicans and Dems Come Together — to Keep IRS From Competing with TurboTax

A recently introduced bill would ban the IRS from offering free tax prep software.

Another Layer to Rendell’s Fracking Connections

Ed Rendell, the former Pennsylvania governor who oversaw a boom in the state's natural gas business, is special counsel to a Philadelphia firm deeply involved in the controversial fracking trade.

More Than a Matter of Opinion: Ed Rendell’s Plea for Fracking Fails to Disclose Industry Ties

Rendell, who supported fracking when he was governor of Pennsylvania, urged Andrew Cuomo of New York to get behind the industry in a strongly worded newspaper piece. He left a few details out.

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