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Amita Sharma
Investigative Reporter
Amita Sharma has worked at KPBS since 2000 and has covered a wide range of stories for TV and radio. She is part of the KPBS Investigative Reporting unit and occasionally hosts KPBS Evening Edition.
Among the reports Amita has produced are a three-part series on child sex trafficking in San Diego, a two-part series on how the state is using survivors' benefits for foster children to pay for their upkeep, and a four-part series on the Port of San Diego's finances. Other investigations include the San Diego angle to the U.S. attorney firings, private security firm Blackwater’s controversial training camp proposal, and the Sunroad development controversy. Amita has also interviewed a number of local and national newsmakers including former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean, Wisconsin Congressman James Sensenbrenner, and fired U.S. Attorney David Iglesias. In 2005 she landed an exclusive interview with three federal prosecutors who worked on the bribery investigation resulting in the guilty plea of former San Diego Congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham. She also covered the murder trial of David Westerfield, the 2001 shooting at Santana High School, and how three of the 9/11 hijackers spent their time in San Diego.
Amita has also worked as a newspaper reporter. She has degrees in journalism and international relations from the University of Southern California.
Recent Stories by Amita Sharma
Families Still Fighting Over Trump, Even As His Term Closes
- Nov. 23
- By Amita Sharma
Four years of disputes over President Donald Trump and his policies have fractured families to the point of estrangement, made even worse by his refusal to concede and false claims that President-elect Joe Biden’s victory is based on voter fraud.
Now That The Presidential Election Is Over…
- Nov. 9
- By Amita Sharma
In 2016, after a polarizing election, feelings were so raw that Thanksgiving dinner tables became battlegrounds.
Maienschein Wins Reelection For 77th Assembly District Seat
- Nov. 3
- By Amita Sharma
The contest is a rematch of the March primary, during which Maienschein captured 57 percent of the vote while Cutter collected 43 percent.
Scott Peters Coasts To Victory In 52nd Congressional District
- Nov. 3
- By Amita Sharma
Democratic Rep. Scott Peters is closing in on an easy victory in the coastal San Diego district.
Maienschein In Rematch With Republican Challenger For 77th Assembly Seat
- Oct. 26
- By Amita Sharma
Assemblyman Brian Maienschein is challenged by Republican employment lawyer June Yang Cutter in a repeat of the March primary.
Retiring Federal Prosecutor Goes Public With Harsh Criticism Of AG William Barr
- Oct. 23
- By Amita Sharma
Phillip Halpern, who worked for decades in the San Diego U.S. Attorney's office, says Attorney General William Barr has acted as President Donald Trump's "mafia" lawyer, instead of the "lawyer for the people of the United States."
Two Sexual Assault Investigations At Different El Cajon Nursing Homes Turned Over To DA's Office
- Oct. 15
- By Amita Sharma
The El Cajon Police Department's referral of the cases to the San Diego County District Attorney's office for possible prosecution follows a KPBS investigative report last week.
Tell Us How The Presidential Race Is Impacting Your Relationships
- Oct. 13
- By Amita Sharma
The election of Donald Trump as president in 2016 divided families and strained friendships. Some have managed to work through the political divide to preserve close relationships. Others have distanced themselves. And there are those who have broken family ties.
Incumbent Peters Faces Challenge From Republican Tech Entrepreneur
- Oct. 9
- By Amita Sharma
The race for San Diego's 52nd District congressional seat features Four-term Democrat Scott Peters and political newcomer Jim DeBello have starkly different views on climate change causes, abortion rights and the White House's handling of the pandemic.
El Cajon Nursing Home Reaped Big Profits While Shortchanging Resident Care, Analysis Shows
- Oct. 8
- By Amita Sharma
In recent years, residents at Avocado Post Acute provided its residents with far less care from registered nurses than regulators expected while reporting millions in yearly profits, according to a KPBS analysis of its finances.
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JANE AUSTEN'S PRIDE & PREJUDICE
Stream or tune in Friday, Nov. 27, 2020 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on KPBS
