Lee Zurik

As the city of New Orleans's most honored investigative reporter, Lee Zurik has been uncovering and reporting impactful stories on WVUE since 2009. Following up his tenacious inquiries with detailed analysis and powerful storytelling, Lee delivers unprecedented accountability of government officials, private citizens and corporations.

Recent Articles by Lee

COVID on Campus: At the largest universities, data vary widely and lacks transparency

Only around a quarter of the nation's largest universities publicly release active COVID-19 case information. Public health experts say the more data available, the better.

Jill Riepenhoff, Jamie Grey and Lee Zurik

Published September 17, 2020 at 6:35 PM

Four million Americans waited more than 4 weeks for their first unemployment check

Millions of Americans have waited more than 4 weeks to get their first unemployment check. State offices, overwhelmed with claims, calls and emails have lagged in processing claims.

Emma Ruby, Megan Luther and Lee Zurik

Published September 15, 2020 at 5:45 PM

Special oversight of the nation’s worst nursing homes still leaves residents at risk

A special program intended to improve nursing homes faces criticism that it isn't working.

Jill Riepenhoff, Daniela Molina and Lee Zurik

Published September 2, 2020 at 6:02 PM

Some of the worst nursing homes in the country are waitlisted for extra oversight

Hundreds of nursing homes with poor ratings are waiting to get into a program intended to improve care.

Jill Riepenhoff, Daniela Molina and Lee Zurik

Published September 2, 2020 at 5:23 PM

Prosecuted and Paid: Government doles out billions in coronavirus relief money to companies that paid out millions in fraud-related cases

More than 200 companies that paid the federal government for fraud related accusations in the last decade received billions of dollars in unsolicited relief money as part of the coronavirus bailout package.

Jamie Grey, Lee Zurik and Peter Buffo

Published August 24, 2020 at 9:16 PM

Were you exposed to COVID-19 at work? In most states, your employer isn’t required to tell you.

Employees say they were exposed to coworkers who tested positive for COVID-19 but were never informed by their employers. In most states, companies don't have to disclose cases.

Megan Luther and Lee Zurik

Published August 6, 2020 at 7:09 PM

For-profit colleges received $1B in federal aid

For-profit colleges received more than $1 billion from the CARES Act, money that was intended to help at-need institutions and students. Some of these schools are owned by billion-dollar companies, while community colleges received proportionally less support.

Rose Wagner, Megan Luther and Lee Zurik

Published July 21, 2020 at 5:36 PM

True toll of COVID-19 in nursing homes still unknown

Federal nursing home coronavirus case data remains flawed, and some members of Congress say that needs to change.

Jill Riepenhoff, Daniela Molina and Lee Zurik

Published July 9, 2020 at 7:52 PM

Former State Senator asks court for lesser sentence due to COVID-19 concerns

A former state senator awaiting sentencing on a charge of making false statements to a federal agency is asking a federal judge for a lighter sentence due to COVID-19 concerns.

Lee Zurik and Cody Lillich

Published July 1, 2020 at 11:59 AM

Geared Up: Questions about police militarization arise again

Since 2008, the U.S. military has sent more than 1,000 mine-resistant vehicles to local police departments at their request. Now, some are questioning the optics.

Daniela Molina, Lee Zurik and Jamie Grey

Published June 23, 2020 at 5:01 PM

New federal COVID-19 nursing home data fraught with inaccuracies, overcounts and undercounts

Newly-released federal nursing home COVID-19 case and death numbers in some cases show major discrepancies with other public records, according to analysis by InvestigateTV. One nursing home had hundreds more deaths reported than it had beds in the facility.

Jill Riepenhoff, Jamie Grey, Daniela Molina and Lee Zurik

Published June 5, 2020 at 8:12 PM

Students with disabilities are receiving unequal education in remote learning

When coronavirus hit, the U.S. Department of Education initially gave confusing guidance to states and schools on how to do remote learning for special education students. Months later some students still aren't getting the services they need, which is required by federal law.

Erin Snodgrass and Lee Zurik

Published May 20, 2020 at 4:53 PM

Dozens of nursing homes cited for infection-related deficiencies early this year now have COVID-19 cases

An analysis of state nursing home inspections and records of COVID-19 infections associated with nursing homes by the Washington Post reveals dozens of facilities had infection-related violations in the months before coronavirus infections.

Jill Riepenhoff and Lee Zurik

Published May 15, 2020 at 9:51 AM

Drug Dependence: COVID-19 weakens already fragile U.S. drug supply

Unlike many other countries, the FDA doesn't require a "made in" label on drugs, even though the federal agency estimates 80% of the ingredients and 40% of the finished drugs are manufactured overseas.