“License Loophole”
In 2019, during my time at WTMJ-TV, I conducted an extensive investigation into the driving history of Timothy Vandervere, charged (now convicted) of killing three members of the same family, and seriously injuring another, while driving drunk in Kenosha County. After filing multiple open records requests, analyzing documents, I uncovered a loophole in Wisconsin’s motor vehicle agency, (part of a larger problem in the licensing system nationwide), which allowed Vandervere to get a legal driver’s license despite a record of drinking and driving. As a result of my reporting, state lawmakers are in the process of drafting legislation to close the gap.
In 2020, my stories received two awards:
Wisconsin Broadcasters Association 1st Place Award for Best Hard News/Investigative (Large Market TV)
Milwaukee Press Club Excellence in Journalism Silver Award for Best Investigative Report or Series