A Gothamist and WNYC special investigation into decades of sexual assault at the Rikers Island women’s prison was named a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in audio reporting.
Journalist and administrator of the awards Marjorie Miller announced Pulitzer winners and finalists on Monday from Columbia University. Miller named the newsroom’s staff as finalists in the audio category for its “revelatory investigation” that “focused largely on one male corrections officer.”
Warning: This episode contains profane language and detailed descriptions of sexual assault allegations.
The investigation found that more than 20 women said the same officer sexually assaulted them while they were held at the Rose M. Singer Center. Their allegations spanned decades, but many of the women only knew him by the nickname “Champagne.”
In a nearly hour-long special episode of the NYC Now podcast, reporters spoke with multiple women who say they were assaulted by “Champagne” and were able to piece together clues, find and speak to the accused correction officer.
The staff of The New Yorker won the Pulitzer in the audio category for its “In the Dark” podcast.
This Gothamist and WNYC reporting was part of a series that analyzed hundreds of lawsuits filed against the city under the Adult Survivor’s Act, which allowed sexual assault victims a one-year window to sue alleged abusers. The reporting found patterns of abuse at the long-troubled jail and identified multiple officers who were accused of assault but still working on Rikers. The Department of Correction transferred three of the guards after the story was published.
Calls for investigations, hearings and new legislation came immediately after the series began publishing in March 2024. Mayor Eric Adams promised a “thorough investigation,” and state lawmakers vowed to push for legislation that allows alleged sexual assault victims more time to file lawsuits. The Bronx district attorney’s office said it would review the hundreds of lawsuits for possible criminal charges.
“We are tremendously honored and humbled by this recognition, but the real honor is being able to do journalism that makes New York a little safer for the people who live here. That’s the true legacy of this investigation,” said Audrey Cooper, the editor in chief of WNYC and Gothamist.
The Pulitzers have been recognizing excellence in journalism and the arts since 1917.
Credits for NYC Now’s special investigation, “He Went by ‘Champagne’ on Rikers Island. Here’s What 24 Women Allege He Did.”
Jessy Edwards, reporter
Samantha Max, reporter
Jared Marcelle, reporter and producer
Christopher Werth, investigative editor and host
Ave Carrillo, executive producer
Ann Givens, public safety editor
Wayne Shulmister, technical director
Liora Noam Kravitz, sound designer and engineer
Jared Paul, sound designer and engineer
Owen Kaplan, sound designer and engineer
Sean Bowditch, director of audio strategy
Audrey Cooper, editor in chief
Stephanie Clary, deputy editor
Lauren Cooperman, legal counsel
This story has been updated with additional information.
