Jake Pearson

I’m an investigative reporter covering the intersection of business and government.

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What I Cover

I cover the intersection of business and government.

My Background

I’ve conducted metro, campaign finance and national political investigations for ProPublica since 2018. A 2024 investigation into New York’s troubled guardianship system prompted an investigation by the state attorney general. A 2026 series into the online sports betting industry has spurred inquiries from federal lawmakers as well as regulators in several states. Other work has resulted in criminal prosecutions and oversight hearings and has been recognized with various journalism awards.

Previously, I worked for The Associated Press, NBC News and the New York Daily News.

I Deliberately Bet Like a Problem Gambler. DraftKings Made Me a VIP.

Amid growing public health concerns, operators like DraftKings have touted “responsible gaming” tools and prompts. But as I went off the deep end, I found they were no match for the incentives and product design pushing me to keep going.

September 26, 2026, 5:00 am EDT
Bedbugs, Rats and No Heat: How One Woman Endured a Decade of Neglect in New York’s Guardianship System

Judith Zbiegniewicz lived in squalor, yet every month, her legally appointed guardian was paid $450 from her bank account. She is one of the thousands of vulnerable New Yorkers left stranded by a system meant to protect them.

March 7, 2024, 6:00 am EST
He Defended the NYPD in Court. Then They Arrested Him.

For 11 years, Karl Ashanti represented New York City cops in civil-rights cases. Then he was charged with a crime he didn’t commit.

December 20, 2022, 8:00 am EST

I Investigated the Online Sports Betting Industry. DraftKings Shut Down My Account.

November 14, 2026, 5:00 am EST
Federal and State Officials Ramp Up Scrutiny of DraftKings, Other Sports Betting Apps

October 30, 2026, 5:00 am EDT
Watch: Inside Our $22K Sports Betting Experiment

October 10, 2026, 5:00 am EDT
New York Plans Stronger Sports Betting Regulation to Curb Gambling Addiction

October 9, 2026, 4:14 pm EDT
Trump Officials Attended a Summit of Election Deniers Who Want the President to Take Over the Midterms

February 28, 2026, 5:30 am EST
We Found New York’s Guardianship System in Shambles. Now State Lawmakers Say They Have a Plan to Help Fix It.

February 4, 2026, 5:30 am EST
Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Once Defended Congress’ Power of the Purse. Now He Defies It.

December 5, 2025, 5:00 am EST
Tech Billionaire Marc Andreessen Bet Big on Trump. It’s Paying Off for Silicon Valley.

November 5, 2025, 5:30 am EST
Trump Wants to Crack Down on “Debanking,” but He’s Dismantling a Regulator That Was Doing Just That

September 9, 2025, 5:00 am EDT
Governor’s Task Force Calls on New York to Bolster Funding, Oversight of Guardianships

August 13, 2025, 5:00 am EDT

Topics We Cover

Our Biggest Series

Life of the Mother

The New Immigration

Friends of the Court

Jake Pearson

Need to Get in Touch?

What I Cover

My Background

I Deliberately Bet Like a Problem Gambler. DraftKings Made Me a VIP.

Bedbugs, Rats and No Heat: How One Woman Endured a Decade of Neglect in New York’s Guardianship System

He Defended the NYPD in Court. Then They Arrested Him.

I Investigated the Online Sports Betting Industry. DraftKings Shut Down My Account.

Federal and State Officials Ramp Up Scrutiny of DraftKings, Other Sports Betting Apps

Watch: Inside Our $22K Sports Betting Experiment

New York Plans Stronger Sports Betting Regulation to Curb Gambling Addiction

Trump Officials Attended a Summit of Election Deniers Who Want the President to Take Over the Midterms

We Found New York’s Guardianship System in Shambles. Now State Lawmakers Say They Have a Plan to Help Fix It.

Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Once Defended Congress’ Power of the Purse. Now He Defies It.

Tech Billionaire Marc Andreessen Bet Big on Trump. It’s Paying Off for Silicon Valley.

Trump Wants to Crack Down on “Debanking,” but He’s Dismantling a Regulator That Was Doing Just That

Governor’s Task Force Calls on New York to Bolster Funding, Oversight of Guardianships

Jake Pearson

Need to Get in Touch?

What I Cover

My Background

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