Duane Pohlman

Duane Pohlman has been the chief investigative reporter for WEWS-TV in Cleveland since October of 2001.

Over the past two decades, his investigations at stations across the country have triggered major changes.

In Raleigh, North Carolina, Pohlman aired award-winning investigations of the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacy groups, on a housing authority covering up the carbon monoxide deaths of a mother and her son in Raleigh, and for his coverage from Saudi Arabia of the first Gulf War, "Operation Desert Storm."

In Milwaukee, Pohlman won numerous awards for an expose dealing with the lack of security at the Zion Nuclear Power Plant and for an in-depth examination of the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia.

In Seattle, he captured on tape city workers shredding key tax documents, developed the first practical test for arsenic absorption that led to a voluntary ban of a popular treated wood, changed Washington State's sex offender law after he proved homeless sex predators were living in apartments near child care facilities, and uncovered a stolen baby trade from Guatemala to the United States.

In Cleveland, Pohlman's investigations have changed the way Social Security handles disability requirements. They also have triggered a change in Ohio's sex offender law and helped create new security measures at Hopkins International Airport. His recent investigations, from questionable real estate practices by a city councilman to out-of-control spending by managers at a drug rehab clinic, have resulted in suspensions and substantial investigations by federal, state and local authorities. His latest investigation of the Cuyahoga County Auditor's Office has revealed homes missing from the tax rolls and questionable reductions in property taxes.

In the past four years in Cleveland, Pohlman was named "The Best Reporter in Ohio" by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). The SPJ also has awarded him the top prize for Best Social Justice Reporting in 2004 and 2005. The Associated Press has awarded his work with Best Investigative Reporting in 2004 and 2005 and with Best Enterprise Reporting in 2004. Pohlman recently received two Emmys for General Reporting and for Service News. In addition, he has won more than 70 national, regional and state awards and has been named Reporter of the Year in two other states: North Carolina and Virginia.

Pohlman serves as vice president of the Investigative Reporters and Editors' Board of Directors.

Make sure to e-mail Duane tips and investigative ideas at pohlman@newsnet5.com.