For a distinguished example of investigative reporting within a newspaper's area of circulation by an individual or team, presented as a single article or series, Five thousand dollars ($5,000).

Awarded to Eric Nalder, Deborah Nelson and Alex Tizon of The Seattle Times for their investigation of widespread corruption and inequities in the federally-sponsored housing program for Native Americans, which inspired much-needed reforms.

Columbia University President, George Rupp (left), presents Eric Nalder, Deborah Nelson and Alex Tizon with the Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting.

Finalists

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: The Boston Globe staff for its expose of abuse of disability benefits by retired public employees, prompting reform of the Massachusetts pension system, and Jim Haner of The Baltimore Sun for engendering regulatory reform through dogged reporting, which revealed that housing officials in the city owned neglected inner-city properties.