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Journalists Say 'Protect And Serve' Became Steal And Abuse

Published March 24, 2014 at 11:54 AM EDT

About six years ago, drug user Benny Martinez knew his life was in danger. But he was running out of options.

He couldn't turn to the police after he burned his bridge as an informant. And he couldn't turn to his street friends — since he'd been snitching on them. So he turned to the press.

The ensuing investigation by Philadelphia Daily News reporters Barbara Laker and Wendy Ruderman uncovered allegations of corruption within the police department's narcotics squad, including falsified warrants, robbing innocent store owners and sexual assault.

Laker and Ruderman's work led to an FBI probe, and earned them a Pulitzer Prize. They share the story behind the story in a new book, Busted: A Tale of Corruption and Betrayal in the City of Brotherly Love.