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.

Republicans Vote to Block Transparency on Political Ads

Language in appropriations bill would block funding for an FCC rule to put political ad data online.

Dissecting Obama’s Standard on Drone Strike Deaths

What do we know about how the administration counts killings by drones?

After Taiwan Trip, NY Congressman Orders Ethics Training for Staff

Announcement comes following ProPublica story on lobbyist role in Bill Owens' trip to Taiwan.

New Disclosure Rules for Political Ads Could Take Months

Under a new Federal Communications Commission rule, political ad data showing election spending could be posted online as early as July — or much later.

Watchdog Group Calls for Probe of Lobbyists Behind Congressional Trip to Taiwan

Public Citizen calls for investigation into whether Al D’Amato’s lobbying firm violated House travel rules by organizing a trip for Rep. Bill Owens (D-NY) and his wife.

Broadcasters Sue to...Block Transparency

The National Association of Broadcasters argue that the FCC's new rule requiring the posting of political ad data is "arbitrary" and "capricious."

N.Y. Congressman Will Reimburse Costs for $22,000 Taiwan trip

Democrat Bill Owens said he "did not understand" that contacts between his office and lobbyists for the Taiwan government who helped arranged the trip could be in violation of House ethics rules.

Timeline: How Lobbyists Arranged Rep. Bill Owens’ Trip to Taiwan

Lobbyists Arranged N.Y. Congressman’s $20,000 Trip To Taiwan

Four-day Visit by Rep. Bill Owens and Wife Was Set Up by Ex-Sen. Al D’Amato’s Firm; House Ethics Rules Forbid Participation In Lobbyist-Organized Trips.

Congressman Unfriends Bahrain

American Samoa Rep. Eni Faleomavaega, once Bahrain's best friend in Congress, changes his tune

FCC-Required Political Ad Data Disclosures Won't Be Searchable

The FCC vote on Friday mandating broadcaster disclosure comes with caveats.

Broadcasters' Last-Ditch Push to Hide Political Ad Data

Media giants are scrambling to water down a proposed FCC rule on disclosure that will be voted on Friday.

Advice From Walmart Exec at Center of Scandal: ‘Personal Integrity’ is Key

The Walmart exec, Eduardo Castro-Wright, in a 2009 interview extolled integrity and a "passion for winning."

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?

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