With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
Man Found Dead At LAUSD School Was Val Broeksmit, Who Blew Whistle On Deutsche Bank
Val Broeksmit, 46, was found dead on the campus of L.A. Unified's Wilson High School on Monday.
(
Twitter/Scott Stedman
)
The person whose body was found this week on the campus of Wilson High School in El Sereno was Val Broeksmit, an informant for federal authorities investigating Deutsche Bank and its entanglements with former President Donald Trump.
Broeksmit was 46 years old, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s office.
“This is terrible news,” tweeted New York Times reporter David Enrich, who profiled Broeksmit and quoted heavily from the whistleblower’s trove of sensitive documents in a 2020 book.
Another journalist, Scott Stedman, wrote that Broeksmit “supplied me and other journalists with Deutsche Bank documents that highlighted the bank’s deep Russia connections.”
Support for LAist comes from
Broeksmit’s family reported him missing to the LAPD more than a year ago, saying he was last seen in Griffith Park on April 6, 2021 — though his Twitter account was active as recently as three weeks ago.
“It is very sad. I don’t suspect foul play,” added Stedman, who reported for the investigative outlet Forensic News. “Val struggled with drugs on and off.”
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Metro officials said it will be able to announce an opening date “soon.” -
While working for the county, the DA’s office alleges that 13 employees fraudulently filed for unemployment, claiming to earn less than $600 a week. -
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to declare immigration enforcement actions a local emergency. -
Tens of thousands of workers across Southern California walk out over pay and staffing issues. -
People in and around recent burn scars should be alert to the risk of debris flows. Typical October weather will be back later this week. -
Jet Propulsion Laboratory leadership says the cuts amount to 11% of the workforce.
Best of LAist