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

San Diego County Republican Party Chair Tony Kr...

Video Resurfaces Featuring Images Of Hitler And Local GOP Party Chair Tony Krvaric

Aug. 21: By Amita Sharma and JW August

The video, produced three decades ago, shows a bobbing Hitler and Nazi symbols along with a photo of a young Krvaric, who is now the chairman of the San Diego County Republican Party.

Andrew Benavides, owner of Cafeina in City Heig...

Fewer PPP Loans For Small Businesses In South San Diego County

July 30: By Amita Sharma

While more coronavirus relief for small businesses is likely in store as Congress works on another round of loans under the Paycheck Protection Program, some storefronts in underserved communities south of I-8 couldn’t get any money during the last round.

Kimberly pictured above on a Zoom call with Sti...

Online Platform Has Been A Savior For Seniors Stranded By Pandemic

July 18: By Amita Sharma

A social network called Stitch has filled a void for people who normally led active lives but have had to stay put because of the coronavirus.

Former San Diego County sheriff's deputy Aaron ...

Former Deputy Charged With Murder In Detainee Shooting Pleads Not Guilty

July 14: By Amita Sharma, City News Service

A former San Diego County sheriff's deputy who fatally shot a fleeing detainee outside the downtown San Diego jail pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a second-degree murder charge.

The entrance to Reo Vista Healthcare Center on ...

South Bay Nursing Home Has State's Highest Number Of COVID-19 Cases

July 10: By Amita Sharma

Reo Vista Healthcare Center in Paradise Hills has 100 confirmed cases, more than any other nursing home in California.

A sign posted outside of Belmont Village Senior...

Advocates Call On State To Mandate One 'Support Person Visitor' For Each Senior Home Resident

July 1: By Amita Sharma

The request comes amid reports by caregivers that some people living in senior homes have grown despondent after going months without seeing family, and a few have stopped eating and getting out of bed.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is pictured in an ...

California Nursing Homes Likely Won't Get Legal Immunity During Pandemic

June 24: By Amita Sharma

Despite pressure from the industry, it appears Gov. Newsom and state lawmakers will not shield senior care facilities from lawsuits and prosecution.

Pictured above is Victoria Post Acute Care in E...

Federal Website Has Flawed Data On Coronavirus Cases In Nursing Homes

June 17: By Amita Sharma

Counts of cases and deaths in the federal Medicare & Medicaid Services website are in some instances far different than counts by the California Department of Public Health.

Democratic Assemblyman Jim Wood of Santa Rosa s...

State Lawmakers Question Nursing Homes On COVID-19 Response

June 10: By Amita Sharma

California's nursing home leadership blames the high death rate at senior care facilities on PPE shortages, lack of testing and conflicted messages from the state.

Pictured above is Avocado Post Acute in El Cajo...

San Diego Nursing Homes With Most Coronavirus Cases Have Long Complaint Records

June 8: By Amita Sharma

Advocates for nursing home residents say there’s a connection between poor safety records and the number of COVID-19 cases, and they are calling for more oversight. Meanwhile, industry representatives say there is no correlation.

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