![Columnist Teri Sforza writes that a civil claim against former foster parents continues, as do criminal charges of cruelty, abuse, negligence. Columnist Teri Sforza writes that a civil claim against former foster parents continues, as do criminal charges of cruelty, abuse, negligence.](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Diane-protest-e1581455836744.jpg?w=110)
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.
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![Columnist Teri Sforza writes that a civil claim against former foster parents continues, as do criminal charges of cruelty, abuse, negligence. Columnist Teri Sforza writes that a civil claim against former foster parents continues, as do criminal charges of cruelty, abuse, negligence.](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Diane-protest-e1581455836744.jpg?w=110)
![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.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-L-SFORZA-THAI-04-1.jpg?w=126)
OC man tries to fulfill another’s last wish: returning antiquities to Thailand
![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.sbsun.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.sbsun.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.sbsun.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.sbsun.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
![After solid declines since 2018, bites increased in 2023 After solid declines since 2018, bites increased in 2023](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/OCR-L-STATUS-USPS-DOGS-4.jpg?w=112)
Dog attacks on mail carriers rose in California, nation
![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.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/OCR-L-SJCEQUSTBL-0305.jpg?w=115)
Is your city manager one of those in California to make $500,000? Find out
![Columnist Teri Sforza writes that the SoCal operator of the facility named has been sued for alleged fraud by Aetna. Columnist Teri Sforza writes that the SoCal operator of the facility named has been sued for alleged fraud by Aetna.](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/OCR-L-VIRUS-RECOVERY-0314-01.jpg?w=140)
‘Scam alert’ about California addiction treatment claims is issued from 3,000 miles away
![Columnist Teri Sforza writes that CalPERS' '100K' club had fewer than 2,000 members in 2005. Guess how many there are now? Columnist Teri Sforza writes that CalPERS' '100K' club had fewer than 2,000 members in 2005. Guess how many there are now?](https://www.sbsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/RPE-L-WOMENBIZ-0723.jpg?w=132)