Leopold: A Career of High-Stakes Investigative Journalism
The trajectory of Leopold's career is a study in the pursuit of transparency, marked by aggressive reporting, high-profile scoops, and significant professional controversies. From his early days writing obituaries in New York to becoming a feared practitioner of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)—the law allowing citizens to request documents from the US government—Leopold has consistently targeted powerful institutions and corporate giants.
Professional Evolution
Leopold began his journalistic journey in 1992 at The Reporter Dispatch in White Plains, New York. By 1997, he had transitioned into crime and courts reporting for the Whittier Daily News, later moving to the City News Service to cover court trials. His career progressed through prestigious roles, including serving as a city editor and reporter for the Los Angeles Times and as the Los Angeles bureau chief for Dow Jones Newswires. He also expanded his reach internationally as the US correspondent for Auckland's 95bFM.
In later years, Leopold became a prominent contributor to Truthout and worked at Vice News from 2014 to 2017. His relentless use of FOIA requests earned him the moniker "FOIA terrorist," a testament to his effectiveness in forcing government disclosures, such as the monthly release of Hillary Clinton's emails from the State Department.
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Major Investigations and Impact
The California Energy Crisis and Enron
Leopold gained notoriety for his aggressive coverage of the California energy crisis. His work for CBS Marketwatch regarding Enron's role in the crisis was so impactful that it was cited by Senator Dianne Feinstein during a 2003 Congressional debate on energy policy and entered into the Congressional Record.
His reporting on the Enron collapse was further highlighted in the National Public Radio special "Blind Trust." Notably, Publishers Weekly identified Leopold as one of the few journalists to interview Enron President Jeff Skilling following the company's December 2001 bankruptcy.
Corporate and Military Accountability
Leopold's investigative work has frequently focused on safety and ethics within large organizations:
- BP Safety: His reports on safety failures at BP were cited by 60 Minutes, CNN, and the Los Angeles Times. His work on the Alyeska Pipeline coincided with the resignation of its CEO, and his reports were used as official documents in a US House of Representatives subcommittee hearing on pipeline safety.
- US Air Force: In 2011, Leopold exposed the use of religious materials and quotes from SS officer Wernher von Braun in Air Force ethics training for nuclear war. The material was removed from the curriculum one day after his story was published.
- Guantanamo Bay: Alongside psychologist Jeffrey Kaye, Leopold investigated the alleged use of psycho-active drugs on captives. While a declassified Pentagon report denied the use of mind-altering drugs for interrogation, it admitted a detainee was told a flu shot was a "truth serum" as a ruse.
Controversies and Professional Challenges
The Salon Plagiarism Dispute
In September 2002, Salon removed an article by Leopold concerning Army Secretary Thomas E. White and the Enron collapse. The removal followed an investigation into the validity of a disputed email and allegations that Leopold had plagiarized seven paragraphs (480 words) from the Financial Times. While Leopold admitted to being careless with attribution, he maintained that the core substance of the reporting was correct—a sentiment echoed by New York Times columnist Paul Krugman.
The Karl Rove and Michael Cohen Reports
Leopold has faced criticism for reporting that was later refuted. In 2006, he reported on Truthout that Karl Rove had been indicted in the Plame affair; however, no such indictment occurred, and Truthout later apologized. More recently, in 2019, Leopold co-authored a report alleging Donald Trump directed Michael Cohen to lie to Congress. The Mueller report later stated that evidence did not establish the President directed Cohen's false testimony, leading to an update of the original story.
Personal Revelations and Literature
Leopold's memoir, News Junkie (originally titled Off the Record), provides a candid look at his life and career. In the book, he discloses a history of drug addiction, mental illness, suicide attempts, and a criminal conviction for larceny in his 20s that he had hidden from employers. Despite admitting to manipulating sources and lying about his past, Publishers Weekly suggested the memoir could be "required reading for aspiring journalists."
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Key Facts
- FOIA Expertise: Known as a "FOIA terrorist" for forcing the release of sensitive government data, including Hillary Clinton's emails.
- Enron Coverage: One of the few reporters to interview Jeff Skilling post-bankruptcy; work cited in the Congressional Record.
- Corporate Impact: Reporting on BP safety issues was utilized by the US House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Memoir: Authored News Junkie, which detailed his personal struggles and professional ethics.
- Legal Issues: In 2020, Natalie Edwards pled guilty to leaking internal FinCEN information to Leopold.
| Period/Year | Organization/Project | Key Outcome/Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1992-1997 | The Reporter Dispatch / Whittier Daily News | Obituaries, crime, and courts reporting |
| Early 2000s | CBS Marketwatch / NPR | Enron and California energy crisis investigations |
| 2006 | News Junkie (Book) | Memoir on journalism and personal addiction |
| 2010-2011 | Truthout | BP safety and US Air Force training exposures |
| 2014-2017 | Vice News | Extensive FOIA litigation and government disclosures |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "FOIA terrorist" label?
This is a nickname given to Leopold due to his prolific and aggressive use of the Freedom of Information Act to compel the US government to release sensitive or classified documents.
Why was Leopold's article removed from Salon?
Salon removed the piece due to questions regarding the validity of a key email and allegations that Leopold had plagiarized significant portions of the text from the Financial Times without proper attribution.
What did Leopold reveal in his book News Junkie?
Leopold admitted to a past criminal conviction for larceny, struggles with drug addiction and mental illness, and his habit of playing sources to obtain scoops.
How did Leopold impact the US Air Force?
His reporting on the use of biblical quotes and references to Wernher von Braun in nuclear war ethics training led the Air Force to remove the material from its curriculum.
What was the outcome of the Michael Cohen report?
While Leopold's report alleged Donald Trump directed Cohen to lie to Congress, the subsequent Mueller report found that the available evidence did not establish that the President directed or aided the false testimony.