![Columnist Teri Sforza writes about a fiduciary who handles a man's estate, including the desire to return things he bought while serving in Vietnam. Columnist Teri Sforza writes about a fiduciary who handles a man's estate, including the desire to return things he bought while serving in Vietnam.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-L-SFORZA-THAI-04-1-1.jpg?w=126)
![Teri Sforza. OC Watchdog Blog.
// MORE INFORMATION: Associate Mug Shot taken August 26, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Sforza.Teri-copy-1.jpg?w=85)
Teri Sforza
Teri Sforza is one of the lead reporters on the OCR/SCNG probe of fraud, abuse and death in the Southern California addiction treatment industry. Our "Rehab Riviera" coverage won first place for investigative reporting from the California Newspaper Publishers Association, first place for projects reporting from Best of the West and is a finalist for the National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation's print award, competing with the New York Times, the Washington Post and ProPublica. Sforza birthed the Watchdog column for The Orange County Register in 2008, aiming to keep a critical (but good-humored) eye on governments and nonprofits, large and small. It won first place for public service reporting from the California Newspaper Publishers Association in 2010. She also contributed to the OCR's Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation of fertility fraud at UC Irvine, covered what was then the largest municipal bankruptcy in America‘s history, and is the author of "The Strangest Song," the first book to tell the story of a genetic condition called Williams syndrome and the extraordinary musicality of many of the people who have it. She earned her M.F.A. from UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television, and enjoys making documentaries, including the OCR's first: "The Boy Monk," a story that was also told as a series in print. Watchdogs need help: Point us to documents that can help tell stories that need to be told, and we'll do the rest. Send tips to watchdog@ocregister.com.
All Stories
![Columnist Teri Sforza writes about a fiduciary who handles a man's estate, including the desire to return things he bought while serving in Vietnam. Columnist Teri Sforza writes about a fiduciary who handles a man's estate, including the desire to return things he bought while serving in Vietnam.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-L-SFORZA-THAI-04-1-1.jpg?w=126)
![Columnist Teri Sforza writes that California's legislators honor charities in their districts. Columnist Teri Sforza writes that California's legislators honor charities in their districts.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-L-SFORZA-NONPROFITS-07XX-01mr.jpg?w=136)
Nonprofits of the year do much of society’s heavy lifting
![Columnist Teri Sforza writes that the retirement giant didn't recover nearly as much from the Huntington Beach resident as it originally sought. Columnist Teri Sforza writes that the retirement giant didn't recover nearly as much from the Huntington Beach resident as it originally sought.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/RPE-L-WOMENBIZ-0306.jpg?w=122)
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How much did CalPERS claw back from retiree who grossly inflated his pension?
![Columnist Teri Sforza writes that a DOE official wants to instill public confidence. Paralysis costs taxpayers more than $2 million every day. Columnist Teri Sforza writes that a DOE official wants to instill public confidence. Paralysis costs taxpayers more than $2 million every day.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-L-GLOBALWASTE-1126-01.jpg?w=130)
Progress on San Onofre spent nuclear fuel? Tests and boring results help
![Columnist Teri Sforza writes that the state's dashboard is delayed yet again. Meantime, people are dying. Columnist Teri Sforza writes that the state's dashboard is delayed yet again. Meantime, people are dying.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/frankie-taylor-featured-image-e1682006269814.jpg?w=129)
OK, California: We’re tired of waiting and will post your addiction center reports ourselves
![CalPERS did not err by reducing Malkenhorst's pension, judge ruled; $1.9 million could be recouped CalPERS did not err by reducing Malkenhorst's pension, judge ruled; $1.9 million could be recouped](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/OCR-L-BUCHANAN-0327-1.jpg?w=140)
Poster boy for public pension reform wins some, loses some
![Only two of a slate of reform bills are still alive Only two of a slate of reform bills are still alive](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LDN-Fentanyl-SR-105.jpg?w=132)
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Legislators think Orange County exaggerates addiction treatment problems
![After solid declines since 2018, bites increased in 2023 After solid declines since 2018, bites increased in 2023](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/OCR-L-STATUS-USPS-DOGS-4.jpg?w=112)
Dog attacks on mail carriers rose in California, nation
![News flash: Firing people costs money. And when it's a city manager you're firing, the money is public. News flash: Firing people costs money. And when it's a city manager you're firing, the money is public.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ANGER-TOP.jpg?w=140)
We’re accused of ‘ragebaiting’ after story about public paychecks
![Columnist Teri Sforza writes that they can make a lot, but she wouldn't want that job no matter how much it pays. Columnist Teri Sforza writes that they can make a lot, but she wouldn't want that job no matter how much it pays.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/OCR-L-SJCEQUSTBL-0305.jpg?w=115)