Rob Wolchek
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| Rob Wolchek | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Journalist |
Rob Wolchek is an investigative reporter for WJBK-TV Fox 2 News in Detroit, Michigan. He is well known for his "Hall of Shame" segments.[1]
Career
Wolchek began his broadcasting career in 1978 as DJ in Farmington, New Mexico at KRAZ, a country music station. He worked in radio as a disc jockey for many years before moving on to become news reporter for stations in Fresno and Bakersfield.[2]
He got his first break in television covering the Loma Prieta earthquake in San Francisco. His first full-time television job was at KGET-TV in Bakersfield, California. He won awards for his role as the "Scambuster" at KJEO-TV in Fresno including his first Emmy.[3] He is the winner of more than 25 regional Emmy awards.[4]
Wolchek has been at WJBK television since 1997. He is known best known for his "Hall of Shame" segment and has exposed many scams and fraud.[5] One such series on fraud involved a man who was murdered after appearing in several of Wolchek's stories.[6] In 2005, he exposed a TV talent show producer that promised young models and actors prizes that didn't materialize. The producer fled Michigan after the story aired and soon surfaced in Cleveland running a similar scam.[7]
Chrysler Workers "Busted on the Job" Story
In September 2010, Wolchek's "Busted on the Job" investigation made national and international news.[8] The story exposed several Chrysler auto workers drinking and smoking what appeared to be marijuana during their lunch break and then heading back into Detroit's Jefferson North Assembly Plant. Chrysler acknowledged the validity of the story after viewing hidden camera video and fired 13 workers shortly after the story aired.[9]
Wolchek was featured on several national news programs discussing the story, including Varney & Co., hosted by Stuart Varney on the Fox Business Network and America Live with Megyn Kelly on Fox News Channel.[10] The story was also picked up by The Drudge Report, The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, and ABC, MSNBC, and CBS News, among others.[11] Even comedian Jay Leno used some of the story in his monologue on The Tonight Show.[12]
In July 2011, Wolchek again turned his cameras on slacking auto workers. This time, he confronted several caught drinking and smoking what appeared to be marijuana near Chrysler's Trenton Engine plant.[13] Chrysler immediately suspended nine workers without pay.[14]
Wolchek's report on Tower Defense and Aerospace made international news in November 2011.[15] The investigation showed workers who build parts for armored vehicles like the Stryker for use in overseas military operations drinking and smoking marijuana near the plant then returning to work. The company suspended 17 workers identified in the investigative report.[16][17]
References
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- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/about_us/personalities/Rob_Wolchek_Bio
- ↑ National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences natasmichigan.org http://www.mi-nta.org/EmmyWinnerslist09.pdf
- ↑ Albom, Mitch http://m.freep.com/detail.jsp?key=729606&rc=bz&full=1 "Chrysler Workers face Tale of the Tape" Detroit Free Press September 26, 2010
- ↑ Foley, Aaron http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/07/royal_oak_police_continue_inve.html Michigan Live July 15, 2010
- ↑ Meiser, Rebecca http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/reality-bites/Content?oid=1493272 Cleveland Scene "Reality Bites" December 21, 2005
- ↑ Chapman, Mary M. Chrysler Fires Employees in Drinking Video New York Times Sept. 28, 2010
- ↑ Silke Carty, Sharon Chrysler Fired UAW Workers Caught Drinking, Smoking Pot USA Today Sept 27, 2010
- ↑ myfoxdetroit staff http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/busted-workers-wolchek-on-fox-news-20100924-wpms "Busted Workers: Wolchek on Fox News" September 24, 2010 myfoxdetroit.com
- ↑ http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/auto_news/buzzed-chrysler-workers-drawing-national-attention_20100924_dk "Buzzed Chrysler Workers Drawing National Attention" September 24, 2010 myfoxdetroit.com
- ↑ Russel, Kim http://www.connectmidmichigan.com/news/story.aspx?id=517078 "Report on Auto Workers Busted Drinking Mid-shift gets National Attention" September 25, 2010 Connect Mid Michigan NBC 25
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- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/military-parts-factory-suspends-17-workers-after-video-of-alleged-marijuana-use/story-e6frf7jx-1226208880747
