Russ Ptacek Investigates

Russ Ptacek Investigates

Searchable Payroll Shows $332M In Federal Worker Bonuses

10:03 AM, Jun 6, 2013

A new federal payroll database obtained by WUSA9 and the Asbury Park Press shows $105 billion in federal wages including $332 million in 2012 bonuses and identifies the government's biggest payouts going to workers who deal with natural disasters.

 

 

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Food Alerts

Virginia, DC, And Maryland Restaurant Violations

Inspectors shut down the Yogiberry on South Lakes Drive in Virginia citing yogurt and milk at stored at 44 degrees instead of the required 41 degrees or colder. And just like when Inspectors were there, the store did not have anyone trained in food s
4:31 PM, Jun 14, 2013

Inspectors shut down the Yogiberry on South Lakes Drive in Virginia citing yogurt and milk at stored at 44 degrees instead of the ...

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Government Waste

Congressional Leaders Buy Thousands In Water & Snacks

Taxpayers Foot The Bill For Congressional Coffee & Catering
11:28 PM, Mar 25, 2013

America's five top U.S. House leaders are racking up a tab of about $10,000 a month in snacks, bottled water and coffee breaks.

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Consumer Investigations

DC Taxis Caught On WUSA9 Camera Fined $500

The DC Taxi Commission says it issued 15 citations, including $500 fines for refusing to pick up black and disabled passengers, while tracking an undercover WUSA9 investigation.
11:15 PM, May 22, 2013

The DC Taxi Commission says it issued 15 citations, including $500 fines for refusing to pick up black and disabled passengers, while ...

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Investigative News

WUSA9 Probe Stops Shopping Center's Illegal Towing

Hidden Camera Investigation Uncovers Illegal Towing
11:55 PM, Apr 18, 2013

A WUSA9 hidden camera investigation has stopped an illegal towing operation at one of Montgomery County's most popular shopping centers.

Bethesda Cookie Store's Franchise Lost Due To Mice

Food Alert: Bethesdas Cookies By Design Ordered Closed
11:32 PM, Apr 11, 2013

The national president of Cookies by Design says the company has revoked the franchise agreement with its Bethesda location - and ordered it permanently closed - after WUSA9 reported on a mice infestation inside the store's kitchen.

Obama's D.C. Bistro Choice Closed For Sanitation

Exposing Health Violations That Can Make You Sick
11:27 PM, Apr 4, 2013

Mice In Bethesda Cookie Boutique & Other Closures

Mice In Bethesda Cookie Store
7:52 AM, Mar 29, 2013

Inspectors closed Cookies by Design on Cordell Ave. in Bethesda, Ren's Ramen on Amherst in Wheaton, and Skip Liquors on 61 St. NE.

Congressional Leaders Buy Thousands In Water & Snacks

Taxpayers Foot The Bill For Congressional Coffee & Catering
11:28 PM, Mar 25, 2013

America's five top U.S. House leaders are racking up a tab of about $10,000 a month in snacks, bottled water and coffee breaks.

Presidential $277,000 Invitation Is WUSA9 Web Hit
10:02 PM, Mar 18, 2013

The White House's $277,000 calligraphy staff probe has created a lot of strong opinions and questions and we answer them. 

White House $277K Staff Invitations Vs. Cheap Fake
11:39 AM, Mar 13, 2013

Can you tell the difference between White House invitations crafted by a quarter-million dollar calligraphy staff and the one we made with our station computer and printer for pocket change?

'Swagger-jacking' Bistro Among Rodent Closures

Exposing Serious Health Violations That Can Make You Sick
10:40 AM, Mar 8, 2013

Rodents close a popular U Street Corridor bistro and a Prince George's County grocery, while sewage closes an Arlington deli in this week's WUSA9 Food Alert.

BGR, Dunkin Donuts Among Restaurant Closures

Food places are operating with food safety supervisors
9:14 AM, Mar 1, 2013

This week's WUSA9 Food Alert on restaurant inspection suspensions includes a popular Arlington burger bistro, a national doughnut chain and violations ranging from rat feces to sewage and stores operating without the required staffer trained in food safety.

WUSA9 Probe: Compact Fridges At 'Dangerous' Temps

An investigation found popular compact refrigerators using thermoelectric cooling are highly vulnerable to room temperature, which experts say could turn your food into poison.
12:09 PM, Feb 28, 2013

A WUSA9 investigation has found popular compact refrigerators using "thermoelectric" cooling could turn your food into poison.

Government Waste | Food Alerts | Consumer Investigations | Russ Ptacek Biography

About Russ Ptacek

WUSA9 Investigative Reporter Russ Ptacek

In his first few months as a Washington, DC investigative reporter, Russ Ptacek's investigations at WUSA9 sparked debate in three separate Congressional hearings and exposed Pepco and BGE billing disconnected electrical consumers for services they couldn't have possibly used because of a major storm outage. More>>

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