Paul Kiel

Reporter

Photo of Paul Kiel

Paul Kiel covers business and consumer finance for ProPublica.

In recent years, he’s focused on the U.S. tax system. The Secret IRS Files, which involved a team of ProPublica reporters, revealed key ways the ultrawealthy avoid taxes. Before that, he worked on The TurboTax Trap and Gutting the IRS investigations.

Past areas of focus included the foreclosure crisis, high-cost lending, the use of lawsuits to collect consumer debts, and the consumer bankruptcy system.

He has won numerous awards, including the Selden Ring Award, a Gerald Loeb Award, a Barlett & Steele Award, a Scripps Howard Award twice, a Hillman Prize, and a Philip Meyer Award from Investigative Reporters and Editors.

His work has appeared in several newspapers, including The Washington Post and The New York Times. He has also produced stories for National Public Radio and American Public Media’s Marketplace, as well as appeared on This American Life.

Bailout Breakdown: Losses Likely to Be Larger Than Treasury Estimates

Yes, TARP will cost less than originally envisioned. But how much less is still unknown. The latest estimate accounts for only the first year of spending, and the TARP’s spending isn’t done.

Interactive Chart Shows Breakdown of Slow-Moving Loan Mod Program

Homeowners Getting Blame for Lack of Loan Mods, but Evidence Points to Banks and Servicers, Too

Bailout Balance Sheet (December 2009): Taxpayers' Revenues Grow, but So Do Losses

The total loss from taxpayers' investment in the bailout has risen to $9 billion, taking into account money for the auto bailout that appears to be gone forever. Earnings have offset that for now, but more losses seem likely in the months ahead.

Treasury Still Vague on Penalties for Loan Mod Laggards

The administration’s big mortgage modification program features $50 billion worth of carrots – but the stick part has been largely absent. Today, the Treasury Department made a vague threat of unspecified penalties against companies that don’t play by the rules of the loan-mod program.

GM Announces It Will Pay Back Gov’t Loan … With Gov’t Money

Regulators Seize Another Recipient of TARP 'Healthy Bank' Bailout

Govt’s Attempt to Push Transparency for Mortgage Mods Falls Short

The Big Gov’t Mortgage Mod Program: The Latest Numbers

Bailout: $15 Billion More to Fannie Mae (and More to Come)

Your Bailout Update (Nov. 2009): $400 Billion Outstanding

Taxpayers Lose $2.3 Billion with CIT Bankruptcy

Bank Failure Friday: Nine Banks, One Big Failure

Car Dealers Protected From New Consumer Protection Agency

Freddie Mac, Given Oversight of Mortgage Mod Program, Falls Down on Job

Four Banks in Govt's 'Healthy Bank' Bailout Struggle to Survive

Watchdog Report Throws Cold Water on Treasury Loan Mod Celebration

Adding Up the Financial Rescue: Fall Edition

Happy Birthday, Bailout: $390 Billion Outstanding

The Foreclosure ‘Rescue’ Boom on Marketplace

Follow ProPublica

Latest Stories from ProPublica

Despite Biden’s Promise to Protect Old Forests, His Administration Keeps Approving Plans to Cut Them Down

An Idaho Baby’s Unexplained Death Got No Autopsy and a Scant Coroner’s Investigation. State Law Says That’s Fine.

Despite Trump’s Win, School Vouchers Were Again Rejected by Majorities of Voters

Los migrantes se enfrentan a secuestros masivos al pasar por México mientras el país amplifica su cooperación migratoria con Estados Unidos