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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.

Bank Failure Friday: 7 Banks Go Down, 3 with No Buyer

by Paul Kiel,

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.

by Paul Kiel,

Foreclosure Crisis

Interactive Chart Shows Breakdown of Slow-Moving Loan Mod Program

by Paul Kiel,

Foreclosure Crisis

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

by Paul Kiel,

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.

by Paul Kiel,

Foreclosure Crisis

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.

by Paul Kiel,

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

by Paul Kiel,

Regulators Seize Another Recipient of TARP 'Healthy Bank' Bailout

by Paul Kiel,

Foreclosure Crisis

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

by Paul Kiel,

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

by Paul Kiel,