Behind the Investigation with Atlanta News First

A new federal lawsuit claims the Fulton County School System and its charter school enabled a child predator. Former teacher Robert Vandel, 65, was convicted earlier this year for multiple charges connected to the rape and molestation of students at Fulton Academy of Science and Technology (FAST) and later at Lyndon Academy , a private school in Cherokee County. In the Fulton case, Vandel was sent...

A recent change in insurance could soon make it harder for breast cancer survivors to get a common type of reconstruction surgery. It’s because the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services , the federal agency that administers Medicare and works with state governments to provide Medicaid , is considering dropping the specific billing code for DIEP Flap procedures . The treatment involves surgica...

 On Jan. 2, 2021, then-President Donald Trump and his White House placed a call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger over the outcome of the state’s 2020 presidential election results. That call has become a crucial part of Fulton County DA Fani Willis’ investigation into whether Trump or any of his associates interfered with the election’s outcome, an election that saw Joe Biden becom...

Shielded, a special series by Brendan Keefe, Atlanta News First Chief Investigator Are police officers given special treatment when they are suspects in family violence incidents? After months of research, investigations and interviews, “Shielded” is a four-part series that uncovers cases where an officer in an alleged domestic dispute was treated differently – much differently – than similar susp...

Shielded, a special four-part series by Brendan Keefe, Atlanta News First Chief Investigator Are police officers given special treatment when they are suspects in family violence incidents? After months of research, investigations and interviews, “Shielded” is a four-part series that uncovers cases where an officer in an alleged domestic dispute was treated differently – much differently – than si...

 An Atlanta News First investigation has uncovered flaws in a weapons detection system currently being used in Atlanta Public Schools (APS) that has also been approved in the DeKalb County School District (DCSD). The weapons detection system is called Evolv , and is manufactured by Massachusetts-based Evolv Technologies . According to a private report Evolv commissioned and Atlanta News First Inve...

As more police use facial recognition software, the search for suspects is leaving behind is a trail of new victims.  https://bit.ly/42fQITN

n Atlanta News First investigation has uncovered a state agency spending thousands of taxpayer dollars on public relations firms to help with its image following multiple investigations by the local news outlet. Over the past few years, the Georgia Public Defender Council , which represents 85% of all people charged with crimes, has struggled to hire enough attorneys. Since December, Atlanta News...

Atlanta News First Investigates uncovered the practice of housing teens in government offices for weeks or months without a bed or going to school. https://bit.ly/3pMAkwi

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration receives roughly 100,000 medication error reports every year. https://bit.ly/3W6rRjO

While re-selling unused diabetic test strips is legal, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is concerned. Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/44Ux1DB

The mother of a man who was shot to death says district attorneys should be held accountable when they don't prosecute suspects. Read more here: https://bit.ly/44A092Q

A Cobb County man died in law enforcement custody less than 24 hours after his arrest. His family claims he was having a mental health emergency, but jail medical staff ignored signs he needed help. Read the story here: https://bit.ly/42q2Vpl

Atlanta News First Investigates has uncovered the state’s medical board could be investigating a doctor for his alleged role that nearly killed a Georgia mother. https://bit.ly/3JQxmi3

Public records reveal security concerns of metro Atlanta school leaders. Atlanta News First Investigates show grant applications submitted to the Department of Justice from metro school districts. https://bit.ly/44ywRSb

Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law Thursday morning a series of expanded restrictions for convicted sex offenders. House Bill 188, known as Mariam’s Law, is designed to better track these individuals. The bill was approved earlier this year by the Georgia General Assembly. The law comes after several Atlanta News First investigations exposed a loophole that allowed a repeat sex offender to get out of...

A driver’s first thought after an accident is most likely an expletive, and if the car won’t drive, most aren’t thinking about how to vet a reputable, state-licensed and insured towing company. Here are the hazards of using a tow truck company that isn’t law-enforcement recommended.

A metro Atlanta woman was hospitalized after doctors found sepsis in her blood. This came after she had received injections from an unlicensed medical professional. In Georgia, performing unlicensed medical work is a felony. According to state code OCGA 43-34-42 , “Any person who practices medicine without complying with this article or who otherwise violates any provision of this article shall be...

Why has a Georgia man been behind bars for 10 years awaiting trial? Police arrested Maurice Jimmerson and four others in 2013 for murder. A jury acquitted two of them, but for 10 years, Jimmerson has spent the majority of that time in a county jail, legally innocent. The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees people accused of crimes the right to a speedy trial and access to an attorn...

Police arrested Maurice Jimmerson and four others in 2013 for murder. A jury acquitted two of them, but for 10 years, Jimmerson has spent the majority of that time in a county jail, legally innocent. The Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees people accused of crimes the right to a speedy trial and access to an attorney if they cannot afford one. Why Jimmerson went so long without leg...