Biz journal reporter wins national SPJ award

Puget Sound Business Journal staff writer Greg Lamm has won a national journalism award for “Other people’s money,” a series of in-depth stories about Seattle financier Darren Berg, who was convicted of fraud and money laundering.

A story on the Seattle-based paper’s website states, “The Society of American Journalists named Lamm a recipient of a national Sigma Delta Chi Award for non-deadline reporting by nondaily publications, the society announced early Tuesday.

“Lamm pored through hundreds of court records and interviewed dozens of acquaintances, business partners and investors for his series, which was published in January 2011.

“What emerged through Lamm’s reporting was a comprehensive picture of the skilled but flawed entrepreneur behind one of the Northwest’s more spectacular financial collapses.

“Berg ultimately pleaded guilty to federal charges of fraud and money laundering, and in February he was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Earlier this month, a federal judge ruled that Berg owes $140 million to 562 victims who were swindled in Berg’s elaborate Ponzi scheme. The judge noted that the victims have very little chance of recovering their money.”

Read more here.