On January 15, 1993, a front-page Detroit News article began to unravel an extensive legislative corruption scandal that led to felony convictions for 10 people, including a lawmaker from the Upper Peninsula. That Detroit News article and dozens that followed also helped push one of the state’s most powerful politicians — Dominic Jacobetti — onto the Capitol sidelines, uncovered political influence in the awarding of state contracts, and triggered tougher oversight of the House Fiscal Agency (HFA), the nonpartisan office that analyzes tax and budget issues for the House of Representatives.
By the way, the Detroit News won a Pulitzer Prize for its efforts.
Sources :
Jim Mitzelfeld, “State fiscal watchdog under fire”, Detroit News, January 15, 1993.
“Capitol Ethics Not ‘Sterling’ 20 Years After HFA Scandal”, Inside MIRS Today, January 18, 2013.