DiZoglio wants to audit the Legislature. But other audits remain undone
Of the 200 state agencies that must be audited every three years, WBUR discovered the Auditor's Office hadn’t examined nearly half of them by that deadline.
Investigations
As storms strengthen, fears about chemical plant spills rise
For years the U.S. Chemical Safety Board has urged companies with massive amounts of hazardous chemicals to keep backup generators to protect volatile chemicals. But there’s no federal requirement for backup power at these plants, despite climate change and the growing threat of natural disasters.
Mass. court data shows disparities in prostitution charges
Clerks were more likely to approve criminal charges against women and people without a lawyer in confidential hearings, according to a WBUR examination of court data. The Mass. high court is slated to hear arguments this month on whether to open up the hearings involving 28 defendants accused of paying for sex.
Potential conflicts of interest widespread at Mass. special ed schools
Taxpayer-funded special ed schools have hired relatives and struck business deals with board members. Nearly three out of every four of the private organizations had possible conflicts. State oversight of the schools’ finances is lax.
Mass. promised to 'significantly reduce' public housing vacancies. The effort barely made a dent
After a 2023 WBUR and ProPublica investigation found that almost 2,300 state-funded apartments were sitting empty, the state promised action within 90 days. But it failed to fix key problems, leaving many families still waiting for a home.
Mass. has a huge waitlist for state-funded housing. So why are 2,300 units vacant?
As Massachusetts grapples with a housing crisis, 184,000 people have applied for a home in the state's public housing system. Yet, units sit vacant for years because of the state's inefficient central waitlist and a lack of funding to repair aging properties.
More Investigations
Major organ center in Waltham flagged over low donation numbers
Aaron Hernandez, infamous ex-Patriots star, sounded upbeat in final prison calls before suicide
How a Mass. law intended to protect victims became a 'gift to abusers'
Banks saw opportunity during COVID, permanently shuttering 230 branches in Mass.
Mass. homebuyers pay hidden fees to lawyers for title insurance, with no state oversight
In Massachusetts, WBUR found an unregulated and opaque business where title insurers pay large, hidden commissions to attorneys — and homebuyers often unknowingly foot the bills.
Bans on outside police chief candidates raise civil rights concerns, officials say
After a WBUR and ProPublica investigation of Revere's policy that requires the city to hire a police chief internally, U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins and Sens. Ed Markey and Elisabeth Warren are criticizing the rule, saying it makes it harder for women and people of color to attain leadership roles.
25 drivers who still work for the MBTA were suspended at least twice for safety violations
The citations are numerous, including infractions related to speeding, attention to duty, preventable accidents and the safety of customers or MBTA property.
Seize and Keep
Boston police bought spy tech with a pot of money hidden from the public
Boston police used a "slush fund" to pay for a surveillance device that can grab cell phone data from suspects — and also from other phones nearby. The department says it has no policy on using the controversial spy gear.
It's easy for police to seize money. Worcester's district attorney makes it hard to get it back
Under Massachusetts' civil forfeiture system, police can confiscate property they suspect is part of a drug crime and prosecutors could hold it indefinitely, even when criminal charges have been dismissed. Trying to get money back is so onerous, legal experts say it may violate due process rights.