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

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 3:12 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 11:53 AM

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 4:51 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 8:07 AM

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 3:15 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 3:00 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 4:01 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 12:49 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 6:13 AM

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 2:11 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 4:01 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 1:42 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 5:34 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 5:57 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 6:50 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 5:41 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 4:09 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 6:00 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 7:13 AM

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.

Jamie Grey and Lee Zurik

Published October 14, 2019 at 4:09 AM

Measure of Hate documentary explores the undercounting of crimes in America

InvestigateTV shows issues with undercounting hate crimes, including the FBI failing to meet a federal mandate to report. After months of reporting on this issue, this documentary also highlights results of the investigation, including police departments amending their records.

Lee Zurik and Jamie Grey

Published August 9, 2019 at 8:19 AM

Fake Filters? Companies falsely claim to have prestigious water safety certification

With water quality and safety concerns across the country, many families are turning to water filters. But there are counterfeit filters and filters carrying fake certification marks.

Jamie Grey and Lee Zurik

Published July 22, 2019 at 8:29 AM

Untested Waters: Feds take small steps toward inspecting more seafood

The FDA has a new strategy for imported food safety, and Congress has increased seafood inspection funds. But the U.S. still lags behind some other countries when it comes to inspections and regulations.

Jamie Grey and Lee Zurik

Published July 15, 2019 at 6:33 AM

A federal agency has ignored a 2006 federal law requiring the creation of a national child abuse registry, leaving an untold number of children in harm’s way when their families move to new states.

Megan Luther, Jill Riepenhoff and Lee Zurik

Published April 29, 2019 at 5:28 AM

The deaths of hundreds of children because of abuse or neglect goes unnoticed every year by agencies that protect kids. Congress and a 45-year-old law are largely to blame.

Jill Riepenhoff, Megan Luther and Lee Zurik

Published April 29, 2019 at 5:27 AM

A trifecta of failures puts kids at risk

When children die because of abuse or neglect, child protection agencies are often blamed – they are underfunded and overworked. But there are many other culprits who failed children.

Jill Riepenhoff, Megan Luther and Lee Zurik

Published April 29, 2019 at 5:24 AM

Undercounting hate: FBI will not report its hate crime numbers again this year as required by law

The Uniform Crime Reporting Act of 1988 requires federal law enforcement agencies to submit information about their cases to a federal database maintained by the FBI; however, those agencies are currently not submitting data, including information about hate crimes.

Jamie Grey and Lee Zurik

Published April 2, 2019 at 4:39 AM

Untested water: 99.9 percent of foreign fish goes without testing for unsafe drugs

According to government reports, there is evidence that the main oversight agency for seafood, the Food and Drug Administration, has failed to meet new mandates to increase inspections at foreign food facilities.