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Pam Zekman

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Pam Zekman (born October 22, 1944, in Chicago)[1] is an American journalist who had been an investigative reporter at WBBM-TV in Chicago from 1981 to 2020.[2] A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Zekman spent over a decade as a newspaper reporter before working in television.[3] Zekman is known for her aggressive investigative work, including the purchase of the Mirage Tavern. She has shared two Pulitzer Prizes for her reporting for the Chicago Tribune (1971–76) and the Chicago Sun-Times (1976–81).

As a young woman, Zekman was also a competitive figure skater, finishing fifth in junior ladies singles at the 1961 United States Figure Skating Championships.

Zekman, along with fellow WBBM personalities, police reporter John Drummond, chief correspondent Jay Levine, and then evening anchor/reporter Lester Holt appeared in the final scenes of the 1993 film The Fugitive, playing themselves. She, along with Drummond, also appeared in the 1996 film Chain Reaction.

Zekman was sued for defamation and libel by the chief toxicologist of the Cook County medical examiner's office after reporting the office was mishandling cases. The case was dismissed on both counts.[4]

Zekman began working at WBBM in 1981, and in that time she has investigated Medicare fraud, dangerous cab and bus drivers, tax fraud, and government waste, among many other things.[5] Zekman was laid off on May 27, 2020.[6]

Personal life

Zekman has been married twice. Her first husband was U.S. district judge James Zagel.[7] The couple divorced in 1975.[8] Her second husband, former Chicago newspaperman Rick Soll, died on April 22, 2016.[9]

Zekman's father, Theodore N. Zekman, was a Chicago ophthalmologist.[10]

References

  1. ^ Jacobs, Jody (25 August 1985). "Adult Illiteracy Is Barbara Bush's Topic". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Pam Zekman among those laid off at WBBM CBS-2". Reel Chicago. 2020-05-28. Retrieved 2010-06-11.
  3. ^ "DIG SHE MUST". Chicago Tribune. 1985-06-23. Archived from the original on 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Schaffer v. Zekman, 196 Ill. App. 3d 727 | Casetext". casetext.com. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  5. ^ "Pam Zekman". chicago.cbslocal.com. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
  6. ^ "Mass layoffs at CBS 2 hit Pam Zekman, other 'valued members of our team'". robertfeder.com. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  7. ^ "Blagojevich trial judge regarded as smart, unflappable - tribunedigital-chicagotribune". Archived from the original on 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  8. ^ "Dig She Must". 23 June 1985. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  9. ^ "Reporter, writer, editor Rick Soll dead at 69". Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  10. ^ "Theodore N. Zekman, 95". 8 August 2003. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
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