Adam Elmahrek

Staff Writer

Adam Elmahrek is an investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times. He started his journalism career in 2010 at the nonprofit news website Voice of OC, where he broke award-winning stories that exposed corruption in municipal government around Orange County. In 2013, he uncovered a land swap between a powerful local politician and a government contractor that led to federal and local criminal investigations. Since joining The Times in 2016, he has written about political consultants paid with public money to read news stories, and a government official who made hundreds of thousands of dollars by falling headfirst into a wall. He also exposed the failings of a public corruption task force that accomplished little before it collapsed.

Latest From This Author

California

73-year-old woman dies in Granada Hills fire

California

73-year-old woman dies in Granada Hills fire

An woman died when a home in Granada Hills was engulfed in flames. Dozens of firefighters were dispatched to extinguish the blaze.
World & Nation

Minority contractors claiming to be ‘Native American’ to undergo nationwide review

World & Nation

Minority contractors claiming to be ‘Native American’ to undergo nationwide review

The U.S. Department of Transportation has called for a review of all Native American companies in its minority contracting program in response to a Times investigation.
World & Nation

Suspect in El Paso massacre ‘didn’t hold anything back’ in police interrogation

World & Nation

Suspect in El Paso massacre ‘didn’t hold anything back’ in police interrogation

Media reports have identified Patrick Crusius, 21, as the suspect in the deadly shooting of at least 20 people Saturday at a shopping center in El Paso.

More Coverage

Army veteran, young mother among victims
California

Native American minority contracts are under scrutiny as officials vow strict enforcement

California

Native American minority contracts are under scrutiny as officials vow strict enforcement

Federal and state lawmakers and regulators have called for inquiries and tighter minority-certification rules after a Times investigation found more than $300 million in government contracts went to businesses that made unsubstantiated claims of Native American ownership.
California

Claiming to be Cherokee, contractors with white ancestry got $300 million

California

Claiming to be Cherokee, contractors with white ancestry got $300 million

Two years ago, when the mayor’s office in St.
California

City of Commerce officials’ bad blood led to brawl at desert resort

California

City of Commerce officials’ bad blood led to brawl at desert resort

A conference of local government officials from across California erupted into violence over the weekend, with several attendees throwing punches and at least one person apparently knocked unconscious, according to five witnesses to the incident.
California

Would this California town have become so pro-cannabis if not for a councilwoman’s pot industry ties?

California

Would this California town have become so pro-cannabis if not for a councilwoman’s pot industry ties?

Few local politicians have championed marijuana as loudly as Aide Castro.
California

Suspect sought in hit-and-run crash that killed two people in Sun Valley

California

Suspect sought in hit-and-run crash that killed two people in Sun Valley

Los Angeles police are asking for the public’s help in tracking down a suspect wanted in a double fatal hit-and-run crash Friday night in the San Fernando Valley that may have resulted from street racing.
California

O.C. tollway agency launches outside audit of invoices by consultants who billed $185 an hour to read news

California

O.C. tollway agency launches outside audit of invoices by consultants who billed $185 an hour to read news

The public agency that manages Orange County’s network of toll roads is ending its multimillion-dollar public outreach campaign with consultants who charged up to $185 an hour to read news stories and has launched an external audit of the consulting bills.
California

Must Reads: Mediocre grades? Weak SATs? Rick Singer got you into an elite college — for a price

California

Must Reads: Mediocre grades? Weak SATs? Rick Singer got you into an elite college — for a price

The self-styled “master coach” warned parents that in the scramble for a spot at an elite university, their children would hardly stand out without his help.