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Angela Couloumbis

Investigative Reporter

acouloumbis@spotlightpa.org
@angelasink

Before joining Spotlight PA, Couloumbis worked at The Philadelphia Inquirer, where she wrote about local and state governments, politics, courts, and crime in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Stories by Angela Couloumbis

The Capitol

Three distinct suits are being appealed to the state’s highest court, all arguing that cities and municipalities in Pennsylvania should be allowed to pass their own gun laws. — Kent M. Wilhelm / For Spotlight PA

Pennsylvania’s highest court could give cities the go-ahead to craft their own gun laws

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

June 1, 2022

Elections

Doug Mastriano — Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PA

Pa. primary 2022: Doug Mastriano wins GOP nomination for governor, will face Democrat Josh Shapiro

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA

May 17, 2022

Elections

The donations underscore the stakes of landing Pennsylvania’s top job at a time when voting and reproductive rights stand to be dramatically reshaped in state capitols across the country. — William Thomas Cain / For The Inquirer

Pa. primary 2022: Candidates for governor raised $12.8 million in April alone

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

May 13, 2022

Elections

Josh Shapiro’s vast donor base has helped position him to enter the general election campaign flush with cash. — THOMAS HENGGE / Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. Election Day 2022: See how much money Democrat Josh Shapiro has raised in the race for governor

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

April 28, 2022

Elections

Though the race to lure more and bigger donors is only expected to intensify as the May 17 primary draws closer, it appears unlikely to shatter records. — Robert Frank / For Spotlight PA

Pa. primary election 2022: See how much money the GOP candidates for governor have raised

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA, Ethan Edward Coston of Spotlight PA and Kate Huangpu of Spotlight PA

April 14, 2022

The Capitol

State Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (R., Bucks) is shown here holding a sports betting ticket at Parx Casino. Tomlinson’s office asked lobbyists for the casino to write language for a bill to ban skill games. — KIM WEIMER / BUCKS COUNTY COURIER TIMES

Draft bills and late-night emails reveal cozy ties between Pa. state lawmaker, casino lobbyists

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

April 11, 2022

The Capitol

Skill games have the look and feel of a slot machine, but their makers say that unlike slots in casinos, these games do not rely purely on chance. — Keith Srakocic / AP

What are skill games, and why are they at the center of a multimillion-dollar fight

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

April 11, 2022

Elections

There are 12 people running to become Pennsylvania’s second-in-command — two more than in the governor’s race. — Amanda Berg / For Spotlight PA

Pa. election 2022: A guide to the primary race few voters are paying attention to

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

April 4, 2022

The Capitol

As it stands now, the public can request information on legislative expenses through the state’s public records law, but getting those documents can take weeks and sometimes longer if there is a dispute over access. — TIM TAI / Philadelphia Inquirer

The public could gain easy access to info about how Pa. lawmakers spend taxpayer money on perks

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

March 29, 2022

Politics

Former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane was sentenced to 10 to 23 months in prison, but ended up serving less than the minimum — just over eight months — qualifying for an early release based on credit for good behavior. — MICHAEL BRYANT / Philadelphia Inquirer

Former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane arrested for DUI

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Craig R. McCoy of The Inquirer

March 14, 2022

Elections

Mail-in ballots are sorted and counted by workers on Election Day 2020 at Northampton County Courthouse. — Matt Smith / For Spotlight PA

Pa. Supreme Court weighs future of state’s popular mail voting law

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

March 8, 2022

The Capitol

Gov. Tom Wolf delivered his final budget address to the legislature Tuesday. — Commonwealth Media Services

Wolf asks GOP-led legislature to spend Pa.’s federal aid dollars as he pitches $1.8B boost for education

by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Feb. 8, 2022

Pensions

Glen Grell, the former executive director of PSERSs, listens during a board session last year at the fund's offices in Harrisburg. — TYGER WILLIAMS / Philadelphia Inquirer

Big PSERS report gives new details on top staff’s actions

by Joseph N. DiStefano, Craig R. McCoy and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Feb. 1, 2022

The Capitol

Gov. Tom Wolf’s speech is expected to not only outline his policy requests but also look back at his administration’s turn at the helm of government. — TIM TAI / Philadelphia Inquirer

Gov. Tom Wolf’s final budget address will seek to cement his legacy

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Feb. 1, 2022

Pensions

PSERS brought in legal assistance as it learned that federal investigators had subpoenaed information about the board’s adoption of a false, unduly high figure for investment returns. — TIM TAI / Philadelphia Inquirer

Key consultant refused to cooperate with probe into Pa.’s $73 billion school pension: sources

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Joseph N. DiStefano and Craig R. McCoy of The Inquirer

Jan. 31, 2022

Elections

Mail ballots seen here in a secure facility inside the Erie County Courthouse in November 2020. — Robert Frank / For Spotlight PA

A court just struck down Pennsylvania’s mail voting law. Here’s what you need to know.

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Jan. 29, 2022

Elections

Mail ballots are sorted and counted by workers on Election Day in Northampton County. — Matt Smith / For Spotlight PA

Pennsylvania’s mail voting law ruled unconstitutional, but remains in place as Wolf appeals

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Jan. 28, 2022

Pensions

Federal agencies have been looking into PSERS' adoption of an exaggerated number for investment profits as well as the fund’s purchase of real estate near its Harrisburg offices. — TIM TAI / Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. pension fund says it won’t require board to sign secrecy oaths to hear key report

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Joseph N. DiStefano and Craig R. McCoy of The Inquirer

Jan. 27, 2022

News

PSERS Board Chair Chris Santa Maria cited “advice from outside counsel” in asking board members and anyone else attending an upcoming meeting to sign non-disclosure agreements. — TYGER WILLIAMS / Philadelphia Inquirer

Board members of Pa.’s largest pension fund asked to sign secrecy oaths

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Joseph N. DiStefano of The Inquirer

Jan. 21, 2022

The Capitol

In the first nine months of 2021, the legislature’s legal bills totaled $3.5 million. — TIM TAI / Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. legislature’s redacted legal bills flout court ruling, leave taxpayers guessing

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Sam Janesch of The Caucus

Jan. 11, 2022

Redistricting

A preliminary map of proposed new state House districts in Pennsylvania. — Legislative Reapportionment Commission

Democrats could make sizeable gains in Pennsylvania legislature under proposed new maps

by Kate Huangpu and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Dec. 16, 2021

Politics

Guests attend the Cozen O'Connor cocktail reception at the 21 Club in Manhattan, an event for the annual Pennsylvania Society. — HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia Inquirer

Vaunted Pennsylvania Society weekend loses luster among politicos

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Dec. 3, 2021

Pensions

With no explanation and after a meeting closed to the public and media, the PSERS board said that executive director Glen Grell is retiring. — TYGER WILLIAMS / Philadelphia Inquirer

2 top executives quit giant Pa. pension fund amid FBI, SEC probes

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Joseph N. DiStefano and Craig R. McCoy of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Nov. 18, 2021

The Capitol

Pennsylvania has some of the weakest gift laws in the country, allowing elected officials and government employees to accept almost anything of value, as long as they report it on their annual statements of financial disclosure. — Marc Levy / AP

New limits would curtail lobbyist perks for Pa. lawmakers, but one leader could stand in the way

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Nov. 11, 2021

Pensions

PSERS — the Public School Employees’ Retirement System — admitted in March that it had botched its crucial official calculation of investment returns. — TIM TAI / Philadelphia Inquirer

A massive probe of Pa.’s largest pension fund is nearly done, but taxpayers may never know the results

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Craig R. McCoy and Joseph N. DiStefano of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Nov. 9, 2021

Elections

The candidates in the 2021 Pa. Supreme Court race, Democrat Maria McLaughlin (left) and Republican Kevin Brobson, have raised more than $6 million this year. — Tyger Williams / Philadelphia Inquirer

GOP wins 2021 election for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, plus other results

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

Nov. 2, 2021

Elections

The candidates in the 2021 Pa. Supreme Court race, Democrat Maria McLaughlin (right) and Republican Kevin Brobson, have raised more than $5 million this year. — Contributed Photo / Inquirer File Photo

See the top donors in this year’s hotly contested 2021 Pa. Supreme Court election

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

Oct. 27, 2021

Elections

The flow of dollars in an off-year race underscores the importance of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which has been the final arbiter in recent years of high-stakes and highly partisan conflicts surrounding elections and redistricting. — Kent M. Wilhelm / Spotlight PA

Powerful special interests are pouring millions into the 2021 Pa. Supreme Court race

by Angela Couloumbis and Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

Oct. 26, 2021

Economy

The FBI and federal prosecutors launched a criminal probe of the PSERS plan in March after the fund’s board revealed doubts about the figure it endorsed for financial results in December. — TIM TAI / Philadelphia Inquirer

Here’s how Pa.’s school pension fund keeps its communications secret from the public

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Craig R. McCoy and Joseph N. DiStefano of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Oct. 22, 2021

The Capitol

The legislature provided more than 4,100 pages of records, but information was often heavily redacted. — TIM TAI / Philadelphia Inquirer

See the reasons why Pennsylvania’s legislature paid millions to outside law firms in 2019 and 2020 (FULL LIST)

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Sam Janesch of The Caucus

Oct. 14, 2021

The Capitol

In the last two years, lawmakers have paid nearly $10 million to many of the same law firms and lawyers making contributions to wage all types of legal battles. — TIM TAI / Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. lawmakers hand out millions in public contracts to law firms that fill their campaign coffers

by Sam Janesch of The Caucus and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Oct. 13, 2021

The Capitol

In many instances, Republicans and Democrats in both chambers blacked out the reason for hiring lawyers, flouting case law that requires them to make public those critical details. — Leise Hook for Spotlight PA

Pa. lawmakers spend millions of tax dollars on private lawyers, but often don’t reveal why

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Sam Janesch of The Caucus

Oct. 12, 2021

Pensions

The panel’s chair, teacher Christopher Santa Maria, and board member Frank Ryan (seen here), a Republican state representative from Lebanon County, have also told board members they were considering asking for an investigation into the disclosures, according to people familiar with the matter. — TYGER WILLIAMS / Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. school pension fund leaders seek to gag board members over leaks to media

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Joseph N. DiStefano and Craig R. McCoy of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Oct. 4, 2021

Pensions

The SEC’s new 30-page subpoena comes six months after the U.S. Attorney’s office in Philadelphia and the FBI opened a criminal investigation into possible bribery linked to exaggerated investment returns and Harrisburg land deals at the Public School Employees' Retirement System. — TIM TAI / Philadelphia Inquirer

SEC’s probe of Pa. school pension fund examines staff gifts and trips from Wall Street firms

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA, Joseph N. DiStefano of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Craig R. McCoy of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Sept. 30, 2021

Pensions

PSERS — the Public School Employees' Retirement System — is one of the largest such plans in the nation. It has been under federal investigation for months. — TIM TAI / Philadelphia Inquirer

Embattled Pa. teacher pension fund subpoenaed by SEC over ‘compensation and gifts’ to staff

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA, and Craig R. McCoy and Joseph N. DiStefano of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Sept. 25, 2021

Economy

The Department of Labor & Industry admitted it owes millions of dollars to formerly unemployed Pennsylvanians. — Jelani Splawn / For Spotlight PA

Unemployment refunds going out to those Pa. overcharged five years after issue discovered

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Sept. 24, 2021

Elections

Senate Republicans are pursuing an investigation of the 2020 election despite no evidence of widespread fraud. — Matt Smith / For Spotlight PA

Wolf admin sues Pa. Senate Republicans over bid to collect private voter information

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

Sept. 23, 2021

The Capitol

State Rep. Kevin Boyle (D., Philadelphia) — Commonwealth Media Services

Pa. state Democratic lawmaker quietly stripped of committee leadership, Capitol access

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Sept. 21, 2021

Coronavirus

Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy DeFoor says the Wolf administration's COVID-19 business waiver program was inconsistent and sowed confusion. — Stephen Caruso / Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Gov. Wolf’s coronavirus business waiver program was flawed, secretive, Pa. auditor says

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Sept. 14, 2021

Coronavirus

The Amistad Project firm has led litigation to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election, including in Pennsylvania. — Matt Smith / For Spotlight PA

Pa. school mask lawsuit backed by group that challenged 2020 election results

by Jamie Martines of Spotlight PA and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Sept. 9, 2021

Economy

Refund amounts go as high as $13,500, with the majority of people owed less than $500, according to the agency’s calculations. — Jelani Splawn / For Spotlight PA

Pa. to refund $19 million to 109,000 people it overcharged in unemployment error

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Sept. 3, 2021

The Capitol

Reports that show all 50 senators’ spending for the month of July were posted to the Senate’s website Wednesday morning, alongside spending information for the chief clerk and secretary. — JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia Inquirer

For the first time, Pa. Senate gives public online access to spending records

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Mike Wereschagin, Brad Bumsted, and Sam Janesch of The Caucus

Sept. 1, 2021

Elections

At the start of every session, legislators in the Democratic and Republican caucuses in both chambers gather behind closed doors to elect a slate of leaders. — Tim Tai / Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa.’s legislative leaders wield extraordinary power, and the audit fight proves it

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Aug. 27, 2021

Elections

As recently as June, Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R., Centre) assured colleagues he was focused squarely on the future: “We don’t need to relitigate 2020.” — Commonwealth Media Services

The Pa. Senate leader resisted his pro-Trump wing for months. Now he wants a MAGA makeover.

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Andrew Seidman of The Philadelphia Inquirer

Aug. 26, 2021

Coronavirus

“For most of the past 18 months, the legislature has asked for my administration to defer to local governments and local organizations when making mitigation decisions,” Gov. Tom Wolf wrote in a letter to Republican leaders. “It is clear that action is needed to ensure children are safe as they return to the classroom.” — HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia Inquirer

Republican leaders reject Wolf’s call to pass school mask mandate

by Jamie Martines and Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

Aug. 25, 2021

The Capitol

Former state Rep. Margo Davidson was charged in July with stealing from taxpayers and misusing campaign funds, helping her pad a legislative salary that’s already among the most generous in the country. — ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / Philadelphia Inquirer

Theft charges brought down a state lawmaker. But Pa.’s taxpayer-funded system for perks was already ripe for abuse.

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Sam Janesch, Mike Wereschagin, and Brad Bumsted of The Caucus

Aug. 6, 2021

Politics

Republican strategist Charlie Gerow. — Courtesy Charlie Gerow

Pa. GOP strategist running for governor being investigated for fatal crash on Turnpike

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

July 23, 2021

The Capitol

Rep. Margo Davidson — ALEJANDRO A. ALVAREZ / Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. state lawmaker from Delaware County charged with theft after years-long investigation

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Vinny Vella of The Philadelphia Inquirer

July 22, 2021

Elections

Gov. Tom Wolf criticizing a Republican election overhaul bill in Delaware County last month. Now that he says he's open to voter ID changes, Republicans plan to introduce an updated version of the legislation. — JOSE F. MORENO / Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. Republicans are bringing their election bill back after Gov. Tom Wolf said he’s open to voter ID changes

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA and Jonathan Lai of The Philadelphia Inquirer

July 21, 2021

Economy

Department head Jennifer Berrier wrote in an email to the chairs of the state legislative committees that oversee labor issues that “there is no cover-up.” — Commonwealth Media Services

Wolf admin sat on 2017 probe of unemployment error but denies ‘cover-up’

by Angela Couloumbis of Spotlight PA

July 16, 2021

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