Jim Heaney is editor and executive director of Investigative Post. He was an investigative reporter with The Buffalo News from 1986 to 2011 and a reporter and editor with The Orlando Sentinel from 1980-86. His coverage over the years has focused on economic development, local and state government, politics, education, housing and transportation, and he was an early practitioner of computer-assisted reporting. Heaney has won more than 20 journalism awards and was a finalist for the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting.
Jun 13
2013
Jim Heaney interviewed Democratic mayoral candidate Bernie Tolbert on Tuesday. In this clip, Tolbert tells Heaney how much he intends to raise over the course of the campaign and how fundraising has gone so far. Interview highlights will air Saturday morning on WGRZ’s Daybreak. The complete interview and a transcript will post to this site later Saturday.
Jun 10
2013
Edward Snowden, who revealed the existence of the National Security Agency’s data-collecting programs, explains his motives and concerns in an interview with the Guardian.
Jun 7
2013
Looking at the video of Thursday’s press conference, I couldn’t help but notice the make up of the self-proclaimed Western New York Leaders For Peace Bridge Progress. White, male and wealthy. A cross-section of the community, they are not. But they do reflect the political donor class, particularly Democratic friendly contributors. A check of state Board of Elections records show almost everyone in the 22 person group is a frequent contributor to political campaigns, collectively giving hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past decade. Nine have contributed $52,750 to Cuomo’s campaign, either directly or through their companies or spouses. The group includes several notable developers who,[...]
May 28
2013
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his minions are insisting long and loud that Canadian members of the authority that manages the Peace Bridge have shortchanged efforts to improve the American side of the bridge. But an analysis by Investigative Post found that nearly half of the $192.5 million spent or committed by the authority’s governing board since 1992 has been earmarked for work on the American side. What’s more, more funding has been committed to improve the plaza in Buffalo than in Fort Erie since the 9/11 terrorist attacks when projects on the books are factored in. Investigative Post also found[...]
May 16
2013
More than $90,000 later, the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority decides to put its public relations work out to bid. Which raises the question: “Does the authority require such high-priced help?” Jim Heaney discusses with WGRZ’s Scott Levin.
May 14
2013
The crime – or at least the appearance of one – is out there in plain sight. The intended victim is prepared to testify. But the investigators are nowhere to be found; not even curious, they say. Prosecutors and Board of Election officials agree that state election law prohibits the offering of public employment in exchange for running, or not running, for office. “You’re not supposed to do that,” said Erie County District Attorney Frank Sedita. But Sergio Rodriquez, Buffalo’s Republican candidate for mayor, said in a televised interview taped March 18 that unnamed GOP operatives dangled a job offer[...]
May 13
2013
The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, whose executive director said wasn’t paying for public relations consultants, has shelled out more than $90,000 for such services through a no-bid contract. Authority officials, meanwhile, continue to stonewall Investigative Post in its efforts to obtain related documents under the Freedom of Information Law.
May 4
2013
A female engineer assigned to manage work on the U.S. side of the bridge told Investigative Post of a sexual harassment charge she lodged in December against a Canadian board member after he introduced her as the “governor’s concubine.” Canadian officials, meanwhile, continue to dispute claims they aren’t cooperating with their American counterparts.