Voice of OC journalists took top honors at the Orange County Press Club awards Monday, winning first place in the news, investigative and broadcast categories.
First place in the investigative category went to reporter Adam Elmahrek for his uncovering of a real estate deal involving Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido and a city contractor. The article triggered investigations by the Orange County District Attorney and the state Fair Political Practices Commission.
In the news category, Elmahrek and reporter Nick Gerda won first place for their examination of The Orange County Register’s unusual naming rights deal with the city of Anaheim for its regional transportation center.
Editor-in-Chief Norberto Santana Jr. won first place in the broadcast category for his Voice of OC/PBS SoCal report on nepotism among Garden Grove city officials.
All told, Voice of OC journalists took home eight awards. Here is a rundown of the others:
- Gerda and PBS SoCal’s David Nazar garnered a second-place award in the investigative category for their probe into developer campaign contributions relating to a truck terminal in Cypress.
- Elmahrek also took home second place in the news category for the story behind Anaheim Councilwoman Lucille Kring’s flip-flops on crucial issues facing the city.
- Voice of OC contributing writer Amy DePaul won third place in the public affairs category for her three-part series on the immigrant health paradox.
- Elmahrek and Gerda each won honorable mentions in the investigative category.
Click here to see a list of all the winners.