Melody Gutierrez, Robert J. Lopez and Alene Tchekmedyian to join The

Melody Gutierrez, Robert J. Lopez and Alene Tchekmedyian to join The Times’ Investigations team

Melody Gutierrez, left, Robert J. Lopez and Alene Tchekmedyian.(Los Angeles Times) The following announcement was

[{"selector":"#anim-4fa93af4-872e-4f42-aeb1-bed1af0f696c","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.5)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.95)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

sent on behalf of Executive Editor Kevin Merida, Editor at Large Scott Kraft, Senior Editor of Investigations Jack Leonard and Deputy

[{"selector":"#anim-587a39c7-e728-4e84-a109-410c47ba2b37","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.5)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.95)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

Editor for Investigations Carla RiveraWe are thrilled to announce that Melody Gutierrez, Robert J. Lopez and Alene

[{"selector":"#anim-e08ed63f-7e0e-4f9c-a6c3-4fc83f97abdd","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.5)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.95)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

Tchekmedyian will be joining the Investigations team, enhancing our newsroom-wide commitment to high-impact accountability

[{"selector":"#anim-a1f8e09c-6822-4461-a725-5487389620b5","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.5)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.95)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

reporting Gutierrez, Lopez and Tchekmedyian each have a strong track record of investigative reporting, including original work that

[{"selector":"#anim-8e784c90-154c-4881-b8f7-7ff43dc8244f","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.5)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.95)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

has exposed corruption and misuse of power. They also are skilled at telling the stories of vulnerable and exploited communities,

[{"selector":"#anim-df849c14-d7a1-485a-8770-64d04957bcaf","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.5)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.95)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

which is an essential component of our public service mission. In their new roles, they will focus on long-term and quick turnaround stories

[{"selector":"#anim-4e00f5ad-1d12-4964-9b58-21a1d9cd1c06","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.5)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.95)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

and continue collaborating with colleagues across the newsroom to report on a range of topics Gutierrez joined The Times

[{"selector":"#anim-c3057157-0cc6-4714-9bcb-fca6fdfa2084","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.5)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.95)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

as a state politics and government reporter in 2018. Before joining the newsroom, she was Sacramento bureau chief for the San

[{"selector":"#anim-1b456986-4066-4e2a-a302-f0264f89605b","keyframes":[{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":0},{"transform":"scale(1.5)","offset":0.33},{"transform":"scale(0.95)","offset":0.66},{"transform":"scale(1)","offset":1}],"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]