Multimedia

The Investigative Fund is committed to reporting in every possible medium, including text, photography, video and interactive graphics. Readers can subscribe to our videos on YouTube, or view our most recent video stories in the player below. Scroll further to see our full multimedia archive. (Editor's Note: The Investigative Fund merged with the American News Project in 2009.)

VIDEO: Taking Iraq's Contracting Lessons to Afghanistan

In the past eight years, the United States has allocated $51 billion to rebuild and stabilize Afghanistan. But tracking that money sometimes seems as challenging as finding the leaders of the Taliban.

Stuart Bowen, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, tells the Huffington Post Investigative Fund that the kind of waste that occurred with reconstruction funds in Iraq could also be happening in Afghanistan.

» Related Story: As Afghanistan Contracting Surges, Who's Following the Money?

 

By Lagan Sebert and Christine Spolar
4 March 2010

VIDEO: FTC Consumer Chief To Fraudsters: 'I Want to Put You in Jail'

As many Americans spiraled deeper into financial disrepair last year, a record number of consumers fell victim to companies seeking to profit from their misfortune, according to the federal governments consumer complaints report released Wednesday. Last year, distressed homeowners became particularly vulnerable to financial rescue schemes, the complaints data show. Companies that, for instance, offer mortgage modifications or foreclosure relief programs generated one consumer complaint in 2008—and nearly 8,000 in 2009.

The Huffington Post Investigative Fund is documenting these schemes in the ongoing series, Hard Times Profiteers. Credit and mortgage schemes are often advertised on roadside signs, according to consumer advocates. If youve seen such an ad, snap a picture and send it to the Investigative Fund. And if you are the victim of a scheme, send the Investigative Fund your story at huffpostfund.org/profiteers. 

» Related Story: Consumer Complaints Soar on Mortgage 'Rescue' Schemes

 

By Lagan Sebert and Ben Protess
24 February 2010

VIDEO: Senate Deal on Consumer Agency in Doubt

Has President Obama’s plan to create a new consumer financial protection agency died on Capitol Hill? That may turn on whether two key senators can make a deal.

Over the last several months, the Investigative Fund has been tracking the agency's topsy turvy journey through Congress. The House in December narrowly approved a bill that would create an independent agency – the CFPA -- to oversee and write rules for consumer credit products such as mortgages and credit cards.  Now the Senate Banking Committee is working on its own version of financial regulatory reform.

By Ben Protess and Danielle Ivory
3 February 2010

TIMELINE: Sheila Bair's Official, Personal Dealings With Bank of America

As chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Sheila Bair played a key role in last year's government bailout of Bank of America. At the same time, Bair obtained two loans from Bank of America.

By Amanda Zamora21 January 2010

VIDEO: Barney Frank: Consumer Reforms at Risk in Senate

Financial reform legislation faces an uncertain future in the Senate where Republicans stand opposed to creating a new consumer protection agency. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who ushered a financial overhaul through the House last month, explains how the agency was tempered in his bill and may not survive the Senate. President Obama has said creating the agency is a must. » Related Story: Dodd’s Departure Could Endanger Potential Consumer Agency

By Lagan Sebert and Ben Protess
7 January 2010

VIDEO: The Fate of a Subprime Loan: Can This Man Hold On to His Mortgage?

Second of two articles about the roots of the subprime lending bubble.

With the housing boom still in full force in early 2006, Long Beach Mortgage Co., one of the nation’s biggest subprime lenders, sent its eager Wall Street investors yet another package containing thousands of new home loans.

By Amanda Zamora and Lagan Sebert
22 December 2009

VIDEO: William K. Black's Theory of Corporate Fraud

William K. Black is a former senior deputy chief counsel at the federal Office of Thrift Supervision. During the savings and loan crisis of the late 1980s Black investigated accounting fraud. He spoke with Huffington Post Senior Reporter David Heath about how fraud can infiltrate entire corporations. » Related Story: At Top Subprime Mortgage Lender, Policies Were Invitation to Fraud

By Lagan Sebert and David Heath
21 December 2009

VIDEO: Barney Frank: Why Credit Raters 'Don't Like' My Bill

After nearly a year of debate, the U.S. House passed an historic overhaul of the nation's financial system last week. Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) cracked down on the credit rating industry, which gave top grades to toxic investments at the core of the financial crisis. » Related Story: Barney Frank vs. the Credit Raters

By Lagan Sebert18 December 2009

VIDEO: Congressman: Raters Helped Create Products they Rated

Rep. Edolphus Towns, Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, has led an investigation into the role the nation's largest credit rating companies played in the financial crisis. He says some raters were involved in helping create the same products they rated, and should therefore be held to a higher standard of liability. If it is proven that the credit raters were in fact grading their own work, it could affect the outcomes of dozens of investor lawsuits against credit raters worth billions. » Related Story: Courts Examine Credit Raters' 'Intimate' Relationship With Bankers

By Lagan Sebert7 December 2009

SLIDESHOW: Exploring Cleveland's Model for Digital Health Records

Cleveland Clinic doctors say there is no doubt the switch to digital record-keeping has boosted the quality of care, particularly their management of chronic diseases and routine screening tests. But after nearly a decade and a $100 million investment, cost savings have not materialized and hospital officials are not certain when they will. That is consistent with some recent national studies that question whether electronic records can lead to lower medical spending.

By Emma Schwartz1 December 2009