Tony Pipitone specializes in original investigations of crimes, cover-ups and cons occurring in our community, exposing those who need to be exposed.

If you have a story idea, call him at 407-521-1291 or send an e-mail to tpipitone@local6.com.

Teamed with chief photojournalist Darran Caudle, Tony has received numerous regional journalism awards, including Emmys, Murrow Awards and Green Eyeshade Awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.

Their investigation of the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority spurred reforms, firings, resignations and promises of new transparency in the billion-dollar public toll agency, after it uncovered payments to anti-toll activist Doug Guetzloe. Those stories, and a follow-up investigation of Guetzloe’s role in the public arena, earned Pipitone, Caudle and Executive Producer Tim Arnheim statewide awards from both the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists in 2007 and 2008.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Tony came to WKMG in September 1987 from the Baltimore Evening Sun, where he covered courts, cops and city and county councils for nearly five years. At Local 6, Tony worked his way up from a writer and assistant assignment editor to producer, general assignment reporter and, since 1991, investigative reporter.

Tony and his wife, Myriam, stay fairly busy keeping up with their two sons. They enjoy beach vacations and weekend getaways. When he needs to unwind --which is often -- Tony can be found on a local golf course or in his home office, picking up an old guitar and playing ... loudly.

A 1983 graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park (and witness to the Terps’ 2002 national basketball championship), Tony earned a bachelor's degree in journalism. But he also learned the value of a good, hard day's work when, as a teen, he spent several sweltering summers helping repair and install air conditioning systems in Baltimore.

Favorite muscial group: Rolling Stones
Favorite Web site: msnbc.com
Favorite sports team: Baltimore Orioles (even when they lose!)
Favorite movie: "All The President's Men"
Favorite TV show: "60 Minutes"
Favorite quote: "Believe none of what you hear, half of what you see, and everything you report."

Drop Tony a line: tpipitone@local6.com.