Veteran broadcast journalist Bob Read manages CBS Television Distribution's Inside Edition's award-winning Investigative Unit. At the helm since the 1993-94 season, Read's unit has developed a reputation for the pursuit and detection of scams, rip-offs and hazards that threaten the safety of consumers. The unit has earned many of journalism's most prestigious honors, including the George Polk Award, the Investigative Reporters and Editors Medal, the National Press Club Award, Sigma Delta Chi Awards, Headliner Awards, the Prism and EMMA Awards.
Under Read's direction, the Investigative Unit has consistently produced a variety of hard-hitting reports. In the 2009-2010 season alone, Inside Edition made headlines with an undercover investigation of the Bankers Life and Casualty Insurance Company. Hidden camera footage captured agents being trained on how to "prey" on elderly customers and sell them unsuitable investments that reap huge profits for the company. The report prompted investigations by the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging as well as several state Insurance Commissions. Other notable investigations exposed widespread bait and switch practices at a national chain of auto repair shops, the dangers women face at nightclubs, and child talent companies that prey on hopeful parents.
"It is particularly rewarding when our investigative stories prompt regulators to take action and legislators to create legislation that protects vulnerable consumers," Read explains.
Read credits the success of the Investigative Unit to the commitment Inside Edition has always given to investigative reporting. Because of that, he says, "We've been able to assemble a committed and talented group of journalists to work on our team. These people are determined to get to the bottom of a story. They are fair, honest, ethical and driven to make a difference."
Read began his journalism career at ABC News "20/20." During his eight-year tenure with ABC, he produced a wide variety of news, features and investigative reports. He also worked at "Dateline NBC," where he produced mostly investigative reports. Read lives in Long Island, New York, with his wife and two children.