Justin Elliott
I am a ProPublica reporter covering business and politics.
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What I Cover
I report on money and power. I’m currently focused on the second Trump administration, but I’m always looking for under-covered business and politics stories.
My Background
I’ve been a reporter with ProPublica for more than a decade. In 2023, my colleagues and I 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 for public service.
I was previously on a team of reporters documenting how the rich avoid taxes for “The Secret IRS Files” series. I co-wrote a story revealing how tech mogul Peter Thiel turned a Roth IRA into a multibillion-dollar tax haven.
My work has spurred congressional investigations and changes to federal law. My coverage of TurboTax-maker Intuit’s misleading marketing tactics led to a settlement delivering $141 million back to consumers.
In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, I have won a George Polk Award, the Selden Ring Award and a Gerald Loeb Award for business journalism. I earned a bachelor’s degree from Brown University.
You can send me feedback, story tips and documents via email at [email protected], or by Signal or WhatsApp at 774-826-6240.
If you want to better understand how I handle tips and story ideas, read my piece on the important role of reader tips in the Supreme Court series.
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.