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

Misreported Deaths: Government count of nursing home COVID-19 cases still inaccurate despite criticism

For three months, InvestigateTV has tracked federal government data on nursing home COVID-19 cases and deaths. For three months, those numbers have been wrong.

Jill Riepenhoff and Lee Zurik

Published September 24, 2020 at 10:18 PM

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 7:35 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 6:45 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 7:02 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 6:23 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 10:16 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 8:09 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 6:36 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 8:52 PM

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 6:01 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 9:12 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 5:53 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 10:51 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.

Megan Luther and Lee Zurik

Published May 6, 2020 at 2:07 PM

Congressman calls on FAA to suspend airport bailout payments until funding formula is changed

Bailout money allocated to America's airports is set to be distributed in a way that could give some small airports millions of dollars more than larger airports in the same regions.

Jamie Grey and Lee Zurik

Published April 30, 2020 at 9:15 PM

Some nursing homes now battling COVID-19 previously cited for infection-control failures

Multiple nursing homes battling coronavirus outbreaks previously had critical violations for infection control according to federal data analyzed by InvestigateTV.

Jill Riepenhoff and Lee Zurik

Published April 23, 2020 at 9:00 PM

‘Windfall’: Funding formula allows some small airports to cash in big on stimulus money

One airport is getting more than $6,000 for every passenger that boarded a flight there in a year. Others are getting around $6. InvestigateTV looks at the funding formula powering coronavirus bailout money.

Jamie Grey and Lee Zurik

Published April 20, 2020 at 10:01 PM

Severe coronavirus cases on pace to overwhelm ICU availability in urban and rural areas

Some counties in the country have zero ICU beds; others are on pace to need more than available for COVID-19 cases. Part of the reason may be legislation prohibiting expansion.

Jill Riepenhoff, Jamie Grey and Lee Zurik

Published April 1, 2020 at 6:49 PM

We are updating this county-by-county map to illustrate the number of COVID-19 cases in each county in the United States per capita.

Lee Zurik, Jamie Grey, Cody Lillich, Jill Riepenhoff and Megan Luther

Published March 30, 2020 at 12:13 PM

Pharmacists: Doctors writing prescriptions for possible COVID-19 treatment at expense of chronically-ill patients

Lupus patients say they are unable to get refills of their hydroxychloroquine after the announcement of clinical trials to study the drug for possible coronavirus treatment. Pharmacists say some doctors are writing prescriptions for friends and family members.

Jamie Grey and Lee Zurik

Published March 27, 2020 at 8:11 AM

COVID-19 Tracker: Check out the latest on test results around the country

InvestigateTV is monitoring coronavirus COVID-19 cases around the country and updating information here frequently.

Lee Zurik, Jamie Grey, Cody Lillich, Jill Riepenhoff and Megan Luther

Published March 17, 2020 at 10:01 AM

COVID-19 Testing: Where you live may determine whether you get tested

InvestigateTV finds the criteria in each state differs for who is and is not eligible for COVID-19 testing.

Jamie Grey, Lee Zurik and Emma Ruby

Published March 16, 2020 at 7:42 PM

Patriot Penalty: Deployed service members come home to find higher auto insurance rates

Service members who cancel their car insurance to serve overseas may come back to find higher rate quotes after telling companies they didn't have coverage because of deployment.

Lee Zurik and Jamie Grey

Published February 13, 2020 at 10:34 PM

Costly Care: Medicare charged hundreds more than drug’s cost at cash value

A man noticed his insurance paid all of one medication, but then he discovered the federal government was billed hundreds more than market value.

Lee Zurik and Cody Lillich

Published February 10, 2020 at 10:57 PM

Illegal Contact: Banned drugs found in athletic performance supplements

Current and former NFL players say they have tested positive for drugs because of contaminated supplements. Scientists say it's a problem not just for athletes but anyone taking supplements - particularly those in performance-enhancement categories like weight loss and muscle building.

Jamie Grey and Lee Zurik

Published February 2, 2020 at 11:50 AM

Recognizing Hate: FBI begins counting its own hate crime cases in federal data, inaccurate numbers remain

After years of breaking the law, the FBI has finally and quietly released its own hate crime statistics. As InvestigateTV uncovered in Measure of Hate, while the FBI published annual hate crime statistics, the agency failed to release its own numbers.

Jamie Grey and Lee Zurik

Published January 1, 2020 at 10:41 PM

Preying on patriotism: Sham veterans and first-responder charities ousted for deception, their professional fundraisers largely left unscathed

Sham veterans and first-responder charities have been put out of business for misusing donations but their third-party, for-profit fundraisers remain in business.

Jill Riepenhoff, Tess Rowland and Lee Zurik

Published November 25, 2019 at 9:09 PM

Cashing in on Charity: Donations meant to help sick children, wounded veterans, abused animals instead benefit for-profit fundraisers

Professional fundraisers are for-profit companies that contract with charities to solicit donations by telephone or through the mail. The industry is loosely regulated and can keep as much as 100% of donated dollars.

Jill Riepenhoff and Lee Zurik

Published November 21, 2019 at 11:00 PM

Missed Opportunity: Federal initiative meant to help poor neighborhoods benefits the rich

Neighborhoods with an average income of about six-figures are labeled “distressed” by the federal government.

Megan Luther and Lee Zurik

Published November 4, 2019 at 12:13 PM

Fake Filters? Made-up addresses, strange receipts and copycat websites reveal knock-offs on the market

After several strange clues, a Michigan father questions whether his water filters are authentic. Experts say counterfeit filters are a growing problem in the United States.