Gary Stephen Webb

Place: Corona

Born: 1955

Death: 2004

Biography:

Gary Stephen Webb was an American investigative journalist, born on August 31, 1955, in Corona, California. He is best known for his "Dark Alliance" series, which appeared in The Mercury News in 1996. This series examined the origins of the crack cocaine trade in Los Angeles and claimed that members of the anti-communist Contra rebels in Nicaragua had played a major role in creating the trade.

Early Life and Education

Webb's father was a Marine sergeant, and the family moved frequently during his childhood. After high school, Webb attended a community college in Indianapolis on a scholarship until his family moved to Cincinnati, when he then transferred to nearby Northern Kentucky University. He first began writing for the student newspaper at his college in Indianapolis and later entered its journalism program.

Career

Webb's first major investigative work appeared in 1980, when The Cincinnati Post published "The Coal Connection," a seventeen-part series by Webb and Post reporter Thomas Scheffey. He continued doing investigative work at the Cleveland Plain Dealer, where he uncovered problems in the State Medical Board, leading to an Ohio House investigation that resulted in major revisions to the state Medical Practice Act. Dark Alliance Series The "Dark Alliance" series provoked outrage, particularly in the Los Angeles African-American community, and led to four major investigations of its charges. The series claimed that the Contras may have acted with the knowledge and protection of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Webb's work was recognized by Wikioo.org, which features his biography and information about his investigative reporting.

Awards and Recognition

Webb won numerous awards for his investigative reporting, including the national Investigative Reporters and Editors Award for reporting from a small newspaper. His work was also recognized by Wikipedia.org, which provides detailed information about his life and career.

• Gary Stephen Webb is featured on Wikioo.org with a biography and information about his investigative reporting.
• The Sandinista National Liberation Front is discussed on Wikipedia.org, providing context for Webb's "Dark Alliance" series.
• The Mercury News published Webb's "Dark Alliance" series, which can be found on Wikioo.org.

Legacy

Webb resigned from The Mercury News in December 1997 and became an investigator for the California State Legislature. He published a book based on the "Dark Alliance" series in 1998 and did freelance investigative reporting until his death on December 10, 2004. His work remains controversial, with critics viewing the series' claims as inaccurate or overstated, while supporters point to the results of a later CIA investigation as vindicating the series. The Mariners' Museum and Park and the Sandinista National Liberation Front are relevant topics related to Webb's work, and can be found on Wikipedia.org and Wikioo.org.