Paul Kiel
Paul Kiel covers business and consumer finance for ProPublica.
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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.
Better Late Than Never? Gov’t Finally Penalizes Major Banks for Mortgage Mod Failures
After two years of arguing that it had little power to punish banks for breaking the rules of its mortgage modification program, the administration has decided it’s finally time to crack down. But the punishment won’t do much damage to banks that count their profits in the billions.
Profiles: Shoddy Bank Practices Continue Even After Mortgage Mods
Many homeowners have received a mortgage modification only to find themselves once again at risk of foreclosure because of errors by their mortgage company. ProPublica investigated six of these cases.
Even After Mortgage Modification, Shoddy Bank Practices Hurt Homeowners
Many homeowners have been granted a hard-fought mortgage modification only to have their mortgage company effectively pull a bait and switch.
In Fine Print, Banks Require Struggling Homeowners to Waive Rights
Some banks and others who handle mortgages have been forcing homeowners into a corner: You want a chance at saving your home? Then you’ll have to waive your right to sue.
As Regulators and Banks Review Foreclosures, We’ll Be Watching
As regulators launch an unprecedented plan to compensate victims of wrongful foreclosures, ProPublica will be watching closely.
Amidst Foreclosure Crisis, Proposed Budget Would Slash Housing Counseling
The recent budget deal struck between Republicans and Democrats would slash funding for housing counseling, a move that advocates say would force counseling agencies to lay off staff amid the foreclosure crisis.
Homeowner Wins Reprieve After ProPublica Story
OneWest is postponing the foreclosure of a homeowner we reported on yesterday.
Lawsuit Reveals How a Middleman Is Blocking Mortgage Modifications for Homeowners
The suit is a window into a broken system where even though the actual investors, when asked, say they want to allow mortgage modifications, the bank that acts as their representative has refused to allow them.