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.

U.N. Think Tank Opening Office in Bahrain, with Bahraini Government Funding

The Gulf kingdom welcomes the International Peace Institute even as it bars some human rights advocates and journalists from the country.

The Drone War Doctrine We Still Know Nothing About

The focus on the targeting of American citizens overlooks many other strikes in which the U.S. doesn’t know who it’s killing.

Big Corporations Put Up Seed Funding for Republican Dark Money Group

IRS files show that some of the biggest companies in the country provided more than a million dollars a decade ago to launch a Republican dark money group.

Ethics Probe: Congressman’s Taiwan Trip Likely Broke the Law

The investigation found evidence that Taiwan’s government paid for the trip by Rep. Bill Owens and his wife.

Taiwan Drops Lobbying Firm in Wake of Congressional Ethics Probe

Former senator Al D’Amato’s Park Strategies loses contract representing Taiwan

Obama’s Flip-Flops on Money in Politics: A Brief History

Critics say the president’s plan for a new nonprofit group to push his second-term agenda opens the door to influence by corporations and other big donors.

Widely Cited Government Study on Iranian Spies 'Pulled for Revisions'

The study on Iran’s intelligence ministry has been taken down.

Revealed: America’s Arms Sales To Bahrain Amid Bloody Crackdown

New Pentagon documents offer a fuller picture of U.S. arms sales to the tiny Mideast nation.

How a Government Report Spread a Questionable Claim About Iran

A study leaked to the media says Iran has 30,000 intelligence operatives. But good luck finding the origins of the figure.

Watchdogs to IRS: Reject Rove Group’s Tax Application

Recognition by the IRS would allow Crossroads GPS, one of the biggest outside spenders of the 2012 elections, to keep its donors secret

House Seats vs. Popular Vote

How Dark Money Helped Republicans Hold the House and Hurt Voters

The GOP control of the House came despite more votes for Democrats. Republicans used dark money to control redistricting in many states, aided by other supposedly nonpartisan groups that leaned heavily to Republicans.

FCC’s Plan for Fixing Its Political Ads Transparency Site? It Won’t Say

The agency’s new system to put political ad spending information online turned out to be deeply flawed.

Meet the Think Tankers Advising the U.S. Military in Kabul

The military sponsors trips for think tank experts to consult with commanders in Afghanistan – and shape the debate back home.

Have U.S. Drones Become a 'Counterinsurgency Air Force' for Our Allies?

Drone strikes appear to be increasingly targeting those who aren’t plotting against the U.S.

When Dark Money Goes Local

How the Koch brothers' Americans for Prosperity is attacking a cap-and-trade program in New Hampshire.

Dark Money and Citizens United: What Obama and Romney Would and Wouldn’t Do About It

We look at where the candidates stand on money in politics.

Democratic Congressman Takes Heat For Lobbyist-Organized Taiwan Trip

ProPublica reported on Bill Owens’ trip to Taiwan earlier this year. Now his opponent is attacking him over the trip in a campaign ad.

The Campaign Finance Free-For-All: How We Got to This Point

A primer in the four-decade-long unraveling of campaign finance reform

Reporting Recipe: Four Stories You Can Write Using Free the Files

The FCC is finally requiring TV stations to upload political ad files online. Here's how to use them.

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