Campus Files: Scandals, Secrets & Crimes at American Universities

In 2002, Harvard undergraduate student Amit Paley stumbled upon a strange entry in Harvard’s archival database: “Secret Court Files, 1920.” This discovery unearthed a dark and little-known chapter in Harvard’s history—a secret disciplinary tribunal convened in 1920 to investigate and punish students for being “guilty” of homosexuality. Read Amit's original reporting:  https://www.thecrimson.com/ar...

In 2013, Alpha Gamma Delta senior Melanie Gotz made national headlines when she revealed that sorority hopefuls were being cut from rush based on race. Her allegations shed light on the entrenched segregation within the University of Alabama’s Greek system — a system that, in over 100 years, had extended a bid to just one Black woman. Read Abbey and Matt’s reporting:  https://thecrimsonwhite.com/1...

For years, UNC protected its athletic dominance wth fake classes to keep athletes eligible. In 2011, the secret exploded into public view, threatening to shatter the university’s athletic standing. Read Andy’s book:  https://press.umich.edu/Books/D/Discredited2 Read Dan Kane’s reporting: https://www.newsobserver.com/profile/218713930/dan-kane For a transcript of this episode:  https://bit.ly/campu...

Between 1993 and 2011, UNC operated a shadow curriculum—hundreds of courses and independent studies that never met, required no work, and awarded high grades. The reason? To keep athletes eligible for UNC's multi-million dollar sports program. Read Jay and Mary's book:  https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/potomac-books/9781640122468/cheated/ For a transcript of this episode:  https://bit.ly/campusfi...

College holds a mythic place in American culture. It’s often hailed as the best four years of your life and revered as a beacon of integrity and excellence, but beyond the scripted campus tours and glossy brochures lies a far more complicated reality. Campus Files is a new weekly podcast series produced by the award winning studio, Audacy Originals. Every week, a new episode, a new scandal, and a...

Jane Doe 15 tells her story.

More survivors of sexual violence at Liberty speak for the first time, revealing yet again how deeply the coverup culture on campus is rooted. Our reporting has led to a lawsuit against Liberty, in which the women featured in episode 3, those in this episode, and others have joined.

Liberty University strayed far from its mission under the leadership of Jerry Falwell Jr, but even in the wake of his departure, the future of the school may be determined by those who enabled him.

Atypical Liberty students face enormous and sometimes dangerous pressure on campus.

It pays to be connected to the Falwells. 

From the Liberty Police Department, to the student newspaper, to faculty, staff, and administration, loyalty was constantly tested, and enforced.

Jerry Falwell Sr founds Liberty University in 1971. Amid financial turmoil, Jerry Falwell Jr takes over in 2007. Business booms, but at what cost?

Liberty has failed to address, and even covered up the stories of women who have been sexually harassed and assaulted on campus.

Giancarlo Granda, AKA “The Pool Boy” reveals the predatory nature of the Falwells. Exclusive audio reveals another side, and another character in the middle of this story.

A never-before told story details Jerry and Becki Falwell’s behavior at the height of their power. And a favor comes with big enough strings attached to change the course of an election. 

The C13Originals Peabody nominated series is back for Season Three: Jerry Falwell Jr. and Liberty University. A sex scandal rocks one of the world’s largest Christian universities, and the man at the center of it. But that scandal is just the beginning. The award-winning Gangster Capitalism team spoke with more than 80 former and current Liberty students, faculty, staff, high-ranking administrator...

Following the last episode of Season 2, the creators of Gangster Capitalism received a tip about a secret scheme to keep Wayne LaPierre in power.  

A former Ackerman employee explains how expenses were hidden. Leaked audio of Wayne LaPierre lets people know the real damage under his watch. Where will the NRA go from here?

Board members are receiving money directly from the NRA. A fundraiser and a major donor decide they’ve seen enough.

Could this be more than business? Could it be personal? A deeper look at the NRA attorney at the center of everything. 

The NRA has a new program to help lift them out of financial despair, and a fresh face to run it. But both turn out to be disasters.

A dream job slowly becomes something very different for a former NRA fundraiser, as ethical questions come to light.

A financial surplus becomes a deficit once Wayne LaPierre is elevated to EVP, and he is questioned about the relationship with Ackerman McQueen, more than 20 years ago. An old friend with a clever maneuver helps to keep the status quo.

Lines are drawn, as Wayne LaPierre’s supremacy is tested, and the rift spills out into public.

A show of strength and unity kicks off the 2019 Annual Convention, but behind the scenes, the NRA is nearing a civil war.