James Asher

James Asher is the bureau’s investigative editor, directing the I-Team in its extensive inquiries into the treatment of the nation's veterans and of the dangers of unapproved uses of prescription drugs. He is also responsible for directing coverage of the Supreme Court, the Justice Department, the Department of Homeland Security and the broad topic of consumer affairs.

Asher is editor for the bureau’s investigative work on the firings of U.S. attorneys, on reconstruction after Hurricane Katrina and on the nominees to the Supreme Court. Since joining the bureau in December 2002, investigative stories he edited have won several national journalism awards, including Sigma Delta Chi, the Society of Professional Journalists; Gerald Loeb Award, National Headliner Awards and Heywood Broun Award. Asher came to the bureau from The (Baltimore) Sun, where stories he edited prompted reform of the police department, a major overhaul of the criminal courts and $50 million investment by the State of Maryland to combat lead paint poisoning.

Asher also worked at The Philadelphia Inquirer for 12 years as a reporter and an editor. Two stories he edited were Pulitzer finalists; one he directed at The Philadelphia Inquirer won a Robert F. Kennedy award. Asher holds a B.S. and a M.S. from Syracuse University and did postgraduate work in finance, economics and accounting in Temple University's MBA program.