Support fearless, independent journalism<a href="[link removed]><img src="[link removed]" alt="" border="0" /></a>

[Email Hero] Change begins with fearless reporting. Support ProPublica today. <[link removed]>

Hi Reader,

Our newsroom has a singular focus: to publish investigative journalism that’s well-researched, nonpartisan, fact-checked and devoted to revealing what’s going on behind the scenes with our elected officials, government institutions, big corporations and more. When journalism like this gets into the hands of readers, change can follow. In just the last few months, we’ve seen our reporting spur some pretty significant developments.

✓ Former “We Buy Ugly Houses” Franchise Owner to Plead Guilty in Fraud Scheme That Cost Investors $40 Million <[link removed]> The former operator of one of the largest HomeVestors of America franchises pleaded guilty to running what amounted to a Ponzi scheme that ensnared dozens of investors. In a story published in May, ProPublica detailed how Charles Carrier bilked millions of dollars from scores of investors <[link removed]> across Texas, including both wealthy businesspeople and older adults of more modest means who depended on the investment income for daily expenses. According to new court documents, losses to individual investors range from $35,000 to $11.6 million. The plea agreement was filed in court two weeks after the article was published. Carrier is scheduled to be sentenced in March.

✓ Connecticut Legislature Passes Bill Overhauling Century-Old Towing Laws <[link removed]>

This year, the Connecticut legislature voted to overhaul the state’s antiquated towing laws that hurt many poor people. The swift change was a direct result of our series <[link removed]> with The Connecticut Mirror revealing that state towing laws allowed tow truck companies to sell some people’s cars in 15 days, one of the shortest windows in the country. Our reporting included a stunning account of a DMV employee who developed a profitable side hustle <[link removed]> selling off towed cars and kept his job even after internal investigators figured out what was happening. (The employee, who was fired in November <[link removed]> after our reporting, denied investigators’ findings.) “We’ve learned over the years, and particularly over the last year due to some investigative reporting, of some particularly egregious circumstances,” said Sen. Christine Cohen, Transportation Committee co-chair. “This is awesome. It’s great news,” one local resident said. “I wouldn’t have lost my car, and now maybe others won’t either.”

Investigations like these are time-consuming and expensive. We’re able to produce this kind of journalism because of readers like you. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on donations from individuals for the majority of our funding. Today, I’m asking you to join ProPublica with a donation of any amount. <[link removed]>

Our members’ financial support gives us a dependable source of funding, and that matters for an organization like ours — many of our investigations can take months or even years to fully report. We need folks like you to stand with us.

Give today and stand up for powerful journalism that shines a light on stories that make a real difference. <[link removed]>

Thanks so much,

Jill Shepherd <[link removed]>

Proud ProPublican <[link removed]>

Make a year-end donation to ProPublica <[link removed]>

P.S. ProPublica is a nonprofit, independent 501(c)(3) newsroom funded by readers. Please make your donation before Dec. 31! <[link removed]>

 

 
Become a ProPublican
Join over 80,000 smart, generous, discerning readers who believe that fact-based journalism matters, and donate money to make sure that ProPublica remains financially healthy. It doesn’t take much to become a ProPublican — even a $1 donation will make you one <[link removed]>. Interested in donating through your IRA, donor advised fund, or with stocks? Email us <mailto:[email protected]> or click here for more info <[link removed]>.

ProPublica is a 501(c)3 and our EIN is 14-2007220.

 

VenmoApple PayGoogle PayPayPal
This email was sent to [email protected]. View it in your browser <[link removed]>. Update your email preferences <[link removed]>.

ProPublica • 155 Ave of the Americas, 13th Floor • New York, NY 10013

 

  

Stop fundraising emails <[link removed][]=Do+Not+Solicit> Unsubscribe from all emails <[link removed]>  
ProPublica is a nonprofit, and we get the bulk of our funding from individuals like you. Hence, these requests for donations. Prefer not to get these emails? No problem, unsubscribe from only solicitation emails above. ☝