DNAinfo.com New York's Murray Weiss Wins Silurians Award for Online Investigative Reporting Excellence

NEW YORK, May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- DNAinfo.com New York, NYC's leading neighborhood news source, congratulates Murray Weiss for winning a 2012 Society of the Silurians "Excellence in Journalism" award for his investigative reporting on DNAinfo.com of the New York Police Department's (NYPD) ticket fixing scandal.  The DNAinfo.com New York team was also recognized with a merit award for its breaking news coverage of the Occupy Wall Street Evacuation from Zuccotti Park last fall.

Weiss spent six months last year investigating the NYPD scandal, which was first reported on DNAinfo.com and uncovered an NYPD culture where police officers allegedly made tickets disappear for friends, family and fellow cops.  He was able to acquire audio recordings of cops allegedly fixing tickets, one that involved a New York Yankees executive, and another that made a DWI charge disappear for a Manhattan cop.  Ultimately, 16 officers were indicted by a Bronx grand jury.

"With decades of experience covering the NYPD, Weiss was in a unique position to break news on this far-reaching scandal that touched nearly every precinct citywide," said Leela de Kretser, publisher and editorial director of DNAinfo.com New York.  "We're also proud of our editorial team that covered the surprise Occupy Wall Street evacuation last November 15, producing more than 10 news stories on a tumultuous day that resulted in more than 200 arrests."

The awards were presented last night at the Society of the Silurians Awards Banquet.  The Society of the Silurians was founded in 1924 by veteran New York journalists, and remains a venerable club of past and present staff members of newspapers and related organizations.

About DNAinfo.com New York
DNAinfo.com New York (www.DNAinfo.com/New-York) is New York City's leading neighborhood news source. We deliver up-to-the-minute reports on entertainment, education, politics, crime, sports, and dining. Our award-winning journalists find the stories – big or small – that matter most to New Yorkers. The inspiration, funding, and strategic vision for DNAinfo.com come from entrepreneur and Ameritrade (AMTD) founder Joe Ricketts.

SOURCE DNAinfo.com New York