Jesse Coburn

Jesse Coburn is Streetsblog’s investigative reporter. He won the George Polk Award in 2024 for his investigative series on the black market for temporary license plates. The series was also a finalist for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting. His work has also received awards from IRE, the Overseas Press Club Foundation, the Sidney Hillman Foundation, the Deadline Club, the Sigma Awards, and the Silurians Press Club. Previously he was a reporter at Newsday and an editor at ARCH+. He has also written for the New York Times, Harper’s, Cabinet, the Baltimore Sun, Motherboard, Hell Gate and other publications.

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Ghost Tags

‘Law-and-Order’ Council Member Had Fake, Illegal License Plate in Her Driveway

The bogus temporary tag was on a luxury sports car outside the home of Queens lawmaker Vickie Paladino. The car belongs to her son and spokesman, Thomas Paladino Jr.

Jesse Coburn and Jonah Schwarz

July 24, 2023

Street Safety

Mayor Yields to Opposition, Orders Alternatives to DOT Plan for Deadly McGuinness Blvd

Adams's reversal represents the latest episode in which his administration has delayed or watered down transportation projects because of politically powerful opponents.

Jesse Coburn

July 6, 2023

Streetsblog Investigates

‘Duped’: A Harlem 20-Something Blows the Whistle on an Illegal Temporary License Plate Business

Kareem found out the hard way that his Craigslist gig delivering temp tags was illegal. Now he's exposing the operation that employed him, revealing clues about his anonymous bosses that all trace back to the same place.

Jesse Coburn

June 9, 2023

Ghost Tags

N.J. Legislator Proposes New Charges for Selling, Driving With Illegal Temporary License Plates

"For those that want to misuse and abuse our laws, the penalties should be much higher, and the potential for criminal penalties should be a disincentive as well," a Jersey Assembly member said.

Jesse Coburn

May 10, 2023