Label
Councilwoman McPherson
Title
Recognizing Brian Dugger and Eric Rerucha for their team work as an investigative reporter and senior photographer in service to the greater Toledo community and in particular for their efforts to right an injustice on behalf of Wayne Braddy and Karl Willis.
Summary
WHEREAS, Brian Dugger is an Emmy and Murrow Award-winning investigative reporter for WTOL-Channel 11, and after a 25-year career in newspapers, Mr. Dugger assumed leadership of WTOL’s 11 Investigates in 2018; and
WHEREAS, Eric Rerucha, a St. Francis graduate, has been with WTOL since 2005 and is currently the senior photographer; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Dugger and Mr. Rerucha have partnered on multiple investigations, earning four consecutive Murrow Awards and winning the 2021 investigative Emmy Award for their investigation into the 2011 Springfield Township murder of Johnny Clarke and Lisa Straub; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, WTOL “11 Investigates” uncovered dozens of sexual assault reports related to employee dorms at Cedar Point amusement park; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, WTOL “11 Investigates” was able to track down people on the City of Toledo’s list of fire escrow accounts whose funds were not properly refunded, totaling more than $56,000; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, Mr. Dugger and Mr. Rerucha launched a multi-month investigation into wrongful conviction claims by Wayne Braddy and Karl Willis, who were convicted of killing a teen in 1998, wherein, the 30-minute “Guilty without Proof” report exposed multiple issues with the prosecution of Braddy and Willis; and
WHEREAS, the investigation was nationally honored by the Innocence Network and large portions were included in a motion for a new trial; where, that motion eventually led to a deal with the prosecutor’s office to free the men, and on March 28, 2023 the men were freed after more than twenty-three years in prison; NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That, Mr. Brian Dugger and Mr. Eric Rerucha are recognized and congratulated for their WTOL 11 Investigates teamwork reporting in service to the greater Toledo community and in particular for their efforts to right an injustice on behalf of Wayne Braddy and Karl Willis.
SECTION 2. That this Resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.
Adopted: May 30, 2023: yeas 12, nays 0.
Attest:
Gerald E. Dendinger Matt Cherry
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: May 30, 2023
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor