Fallen Angels: A Story of California Corruption

A shocking public shooting at New York City Hall leaves the ambitious, charismatic City Councilman James E. Davis dead, before his assailant is gunned down by a New York City cop. It turns out that Davis had been murdered by his political rival, Niel Askew. And yet all that summer, the two men had been seen around Brooklyn together, been together in James’ office, sat side by side at a barbershop. Despite the shock waves this murder sent through New York City in the summer of 2003, the story is now forgotten, along with the mystery of what really happened between these men. RORSCHACH: MURDER AT CITY HALL recounts their final fateful day through eye-witness accounts, and then traces the path that led James Davis and his killer Niel Askew to their deaths.

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Paul Pringle speaks with Sarah and Charles’ parents, survivors of George Tyndall, professors at USC, and his colleagues at the LA Times about where they are now, what change has – or hasn’t – come as a result of their work, and what accountability looks like today at USC, and The LA Times. 

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With the help of scores of survivors, the reporters uncover the grisly details of the doctor’s crimes, and of USC’s culture of coverups. The new leaders at the LA Times stand behind them all the way. The story is published, the outcry is everywhere, and this time, fallout is unavoidable. USC has to reckon with these revelations and take some action. It leads to a major shakeup at the top – though real accountability still seems out of reach. 

A note: The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN), organizes the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline. The Hotline is a referral service for local rape crisis centers. To reach the hotline, call 1-800-656-4673, or access RAINN's online chat service.

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In the wake of the blockbuster Puliafito story, reporter Harriet Ryan receives an anonymous tip about another bad doctor at USC. His crimes are shocking, and far reaching. And as the reporters discover, it’s another terrible story covered up by USC – this one for decades.

A note: for substance abuse treatment and mental health referrals, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

The Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN), organizes the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline. The Hotline is a referral service for local rape crisis centers. To reach the hotline, call 1-800-656-4673, or access RAINN's online chat service.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Puliafito story finally lands, and it’s a bombshell. USC goes into damage control mode, while the leadership of the LA Times seem to forget the months of contentious edits, and bask in the acclaim. But Paul and the other reporters have mobilized to ensure the end of these roadblocks at the paper. Meanwhile, more damning details about Puliafito continue to surface, including another young woman caught under his influence – with tragic results. 

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Sarah and her teenage brother Charles Warren go on the record with Paul to tell the whole sordid story. With a mountain of documents, shocking videos and on-record sources, the reporting team pushes the editors to finally publish. But the top brass continue to dilute and delay, and the reporting team considers taking drastic steps to make sure the story sees the light of day.

A note: for substance abuse treatment and mental health referrals, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

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The team tracks down the family of Sarah Warren, who have been desperate to get Puliafito out of their daughter’s life for years. The reporters discover that Puliafito’s control over vulnerable people struggling with drug addiction is far greater than they imagined. And Sarah is not the only young person to have come under his spell. 

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Paul and his editor decide to form a secret reporting team with four other reporters, out of sight of the top editors at The LA Times. Bit by bit, the team starts to unravel the truth of Puliafito’s double life, and his surprising circle of associates: drug users, dealers, and sex workers. And they might have finally found the identity of the young woman from the Hotel Constance: her name is Sarah Warren.

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With rock solid reporting that proves Carmen Puliafito was involved in the incident at the Hotel Constance, Paul and his editor take the story to the top brass at the LA Times. But the story is slow-walked, then killed by the top editors at the paper. And Paul starts to wonder: is it possible that his own paper doesn’t have the stomach to take on the powerful and influential USC?

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LA Times Reporter Paul Pringle starts to investigate what really happened at the Hotel Constance. But there’s a surprising lack of a police paper trail, and the Pasadena Police are stonewalling at every turn. So is USC. But Paul has investigated the university before, and he has his sources. Still, there’s one missing piece to the puzzle: the identity of the young woman found in the hotel room. 

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