Ross Jones

Ross Jones is an investigative reporter whose work has led to major government reforms, removed power brokers, prompted investigations by the FBI and jailed public officials.

His most recent work has exposed a culture of cronyism in Wayne County, fundraisers who pocket the lion's share of donations made to cancer charities and shadowy funds used--and abused--by local power brokers.

Jones's series of reports on Michigan's largest courts revealed a broken bond system that allowed accused criminals to walk free from prosecution and let tens of millions of dollars in bond money go uncollected.  His work led to major reforms, jailed criminals and recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars in bond money for taxpayers.

He helped expose some of then-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's most serious breaches of the public trust.  In 2007, he reported on Kilpatrick's misuse of a non-profit fund, for which he was later indicted.  

Jones has received some of journalism’s highest honors.  Most recently, he was awarded the duPont-Columbia Award, regarded as the most prestigious prize in broadcast journalism. Detroit’s Society of Professional Journalists named him “Young Journalist of the Year” in 2012, and the Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) have twice named his work among the nation’s best. 

He is a graduate of Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in journalism.

Most of Ross's stories begin with a tip.  Contact him at rjones@wxyz.com  or call him directly at (248) 827-9466.