John Ferrugia is Denver's most respected investigative reporter.

His 2008 Peabody award-winning investigation into the deaths of several children in Denver lead to a statewide review of child welfare programs and a restructuring of Denver's Department of Human Services to better protect children at risk. This is just one of many stories investigated by John that has forced change in public policy, government or public safety.

His team's investigation into sexual assaults of female cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2003 and 2004 prompted Congressional hearings; a complete change in leadership at one of the world's most prestigious military institutions; and new initiatives for protecting and caring for sexual assault victims in the military while again bringing 7NEWS national recognition for investigative reporting.

John has been honored with television journalism's most prestigious awards including the DuPont-Columbia Award, three (3) George Foster Peabody Awards, a national Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) Award, and has been inducted into the National Academy of TV Arts and Science- Heartland Chapter "Silver Circle" for his career contribution to broadcasting.

John came to 7NEWS in 1992, continuing an award-winning career in television journalism that has taken him from the Great Wall in China, to war torn Beirut, to Vatican City. He has experience covering stories involving Prime Ministers, the Pope, and the President, many times on Air Force One.

"I feel I have an obligation to use my talents in some way to improve the community I work and live in," John said. "As one of 'The Investigators', I can accomplish that."

In 1980, John was a Washington correspondent for CBS News covering the presidential inauguration of Ronald Reagan and later, in 1981, the assassination attempt on the President. The year 1982 brought assignments in Europe, and covering the war in Beirut.

In the fall of 1982, John was named a White House correspondent. For the next three years he traveled the world with President Reagan often on Air Force One. He covered the 40th anniversary of the D-Day invasion on the beaches of Normandy and the economic summits in London and Williamsburg. He also walked the Great Wall of China with Reagan, filed reports from South and Central America, and from the Demilitarized Zone in South Korea. He covered the 1984 Presidential campaign, filing reports from dozens of states, and interviewing President Reagan live, on stage, after his victory speech in Los Angeles.

John was later the principal anchor for the CBS News prime time magazine, "West 57th," reporting from around the world and covering important national and international issues, including the Soviet war in Afghanistan, the Mafia trials in Sicily, and politics. His investigative reports included medical fraud, inner city gangs, grey market drugs, and cutting edge cancer research.

He came to Denver in 1989 to anchor the news and report at KCNC where he was honored with an Emmy award for his investigation of the funding of violent skinhead groups in Colorado. Three years later he joined 7NEWS where he developed his signature report: "The Ferrugia File".

While his principle job is investigative reporter, John has been involved in reporting the major stories for the past two decades, including the Columbine killings and subsequent investigation; reporting from the courtroom of the Oklahoma City bombing trials; reporting from the floor of both Democratic and Republican National Conventions; and producing and reporting a series on Homeland Security after the 2001 terrorists attacks.

John has been a contributing correspondent to ABC’s "20/20" and "Good Morning America"; has contributed often to several CNN broadcasts; and has appeared on "Oprah" detailing the results of the Air Force Sex Assault Scandal.

In addition to three Peabody awards, the DuPont-Columbia, and IRE Awards, John’s investigative reporting has been honored with the National Headliner Award, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Award, and a regional Edward R. Murrow award for the documentary "Room 206: The Platte Canyon Shooting". He also received a National Emmy nomination for his work as a contributing correspondent to ABC News' "20/20".

John has received awards from the Colorado Broadcaster's Association; the Missouri Broadcaster's Association; numerous awards from the Associated Press, and has garnered many Emmy Awards. These award have been for his investigative reports on Homeland Security; government fraud and waste; corporate fraud; funding for hate groups; and for his first person reports of humanitarian aide, flying over Afghanistan following the U.S. invasion in 2001.

In 2008 he was honored with 3 Emmys for writing, documentary programming, and specialty reporting for "Room 206: The Platte Canyon Shooting", and he has been awarded the prestigious McGraw-Hill Award for Editorial Excellence four times; the latest in 2007.

John Ferrugia enjoys baseball, cooking, and is an avid wine enthusiast. John and his wife Mona have two sons.

EXPERIENCE:

1992 KMGH 7NEWS
Denver
Investigative Reporter

1989 KCNC-TV
Denver
Anchor/Reporter

1985 CBS News
New York
Anchor/"West 57th"

1982 CBS News
Washington
White House Correspondent

1980 CBS News
Washington
Washington Correspondent/Foreign Correspondent

1977 KCTV
Kansas City, Mo.
Anchor/Investigative Reporter

1975 WTVT-TV
Tampa, Fla.
Reporter/Producer

EDUCATION:
University of Missouri
School of Journalism

"I am fortunate to investigate stories that make a difference in people's lives."

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