An Iranian Activist Wrote Dozens of Articles for Right-Wing Outlets. But Is He a Real Person?
The writer Heshmat Alavi pushes regime change in Iran. But an MEK defector says the controversial, exiled opposition group created the persona.
Sheelagh McNeill
Sheelagh McNeill is the former Investigative Research Editor at The Intercept. She has nearly 20 years of research experience in a variety of roles held at ABC News, ProPublica, and the New York Times. She covers all beats from breaking news to investigative international stories. At the New York Times, her research supported front-page investigations into European countries funding Al Qaeda by paying ransom for the release of hostages, and a deep look at former Islamic State prisoners. While at the Times, she was lead researcher on award-winning stories as diverse as the privatization of prisons in New Jersey and the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing. She has also worked as an adjunct professor at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, and as a researcher on several books, including "Audition" by Barbara Walters.
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The Threat Within
The Strange Tale of the FBI’s Fictional “Black Identity Extremism” Movement
The only connection between the men referenced in the FBI’s “black identity extremism” report, besides their race, is a thread of anger at police violence.
Rape Victim Who Smuggled DNA Evidence Out of Rikers Wins Settlement
A woman raped by Rikers guards has settled a lawsuit against New York City, which she accused of “deliberate indifference” to sexual abuse at the jail.
Oil and Water
How an Undercover Oil Industry Mercenary Tricked Pipeline Opponents Into Believing He Was One of Them
A former Marine working for the private security firm TigerSwan infiltrated an array of anti-Dakota Access pipeline groups at Standing Rock and beyond.
NYPD Gang Database Can Turn Unsuspecting New Yorkers into Instant Felons
A young New York man who police claim is a gang member is suing the NYPD over its refusal to turn over records about a secretive gang database.
Accused Bomber Cesar Sayoc Was a Fervent Trump Supporter
Court records and online archives show vigorous pro-Trump stances by Sayoc, charged with sending parcel bombs to Democratic politicians.
Supreme Privilege
Dear Senators: The Opposition to Brett Kavanaugh Includes Churches, Law Professors, and Conservatives — Even His Own Friends
The National Council of Churches and former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens are among those asking that Brett Kavanaugh step aside.
Supreme Privilege
Kavanaugh’s High School, Georgetown Prep, Warned Parents in 1990 of “Sexual or Violent Behavior” at Parties
Georgetown Prep joined six other D.C. private schools in sending a letter to parents describing “excessive drinking and sexual license.”
Supreme Privilege
Attorney Sent Letter to Chuck Grassley and Dianne Feinstein Claiming Federal Court Employees Willing to Speak About Brett Kavanaugh
Federal court employees, under the right circumstances, are willing to speak to the Judiciary Committee about Brett Kavanaugh and Alex Kozinski.
Snowden Archive
Before Snowden, an NSA Spy Tried to Incite Change From the Inside. He Called Himself the “Curmudgeon” of Signals Intelligence.
Rahe Clancy thought the NSA had become too corporate. So he wrote an agitated series of missives — for the agency.