Drew Griffin, an award-winning Senior Investigative Correspondent at CNN, passed away on Saturday after a long battle with cancer, leaving behind a family. He was known for his ability to engage even the most elusive subjects during interviews.
A talented narrator, Griffin had a well-deserved reputation for holding influential individuals and organizations responsible.
CNN CEO Chris Licht expressed his deep sorrow to the staff, stating that the passing of Drew is an overwhelming tragedy for both CNN and the entire field of journalism. The esteemed investigative journalist further emphasized that Drew’s contributions had a profound influence and perfectly exemplified the objectives of this institution.
Within their ranks were Emmys, Peabodys, and Murrows – accolades that acknowledged his journalistic work. Throughout a span of almost twenty years as a member of CNN’s investigative unit, Griffin contributed to numerous documentaries and countless news pieces.
“However, individuals held more importance to Drew than awards,” Licht expressed.
Griffin’s colleagues said that he had an exceptionally strong dedication to his work. He spent the day until he completed his reports and he kept his private illness hidden from most of his co-workers.
Michael Bass, CNN’s Executive Vice President of Programming, also shared his admiration for Griffin in a note to the investigative team Sunday.
Bass expressed, “He knew how to push forward a story in a way that would make everyone understand, but also had its limits. He was artful and fearless at the same time.” “Has he spoken the truth many times with power? Has he chased unwilling interviewees many times? It was an honor to be his colleague and witness his work, as it changed the world in important ways.”
Griffin’s journalism had a considerable influence and prompted transformation.
The VA secretary’s resignation led to a fundamental change in how veterans’ appointments are handled, followed by the passage of federal legislation. A yearlong investigation led by the reporting team uncovered delays in medical care that contributed to patient deaths at nationwide Veterans Affairs hospitals.
Following an investigation by CNN, Uber announced that it would do away with its previous policy of forcing individuals who have previously been forced into signing non-disclosure agreements regarding sexual assault complaints into arbitration. In response to the high number of allegations of sexual assaults against Uber drivers, the company has introduced new safety features in its app and changed its background check process.
Griffin was described as an outstanding writer who skillfully transformed articles into “captivating, must-watch television narratives,” according to Patricia DiCarlo, the Executive Producer of CNN’s investigative division, who collaborated with Griffin for almost ten years.
“She expressed her excitement, saying, “It’s going to be fantastic when a story by Drew Griffin begins – you know.” “The way he crafts his words really sets him apart,” she added.
Griffin’s tenacious approach towards the most challenging stories underscored his ability to get some of the most reluctant figures in the public to open up and give their side of the story. He never missed an opportunity to grill them with tough questions.
He informed Griffin, “We were generating revenue,” enticing individuals into paying for additional workshops – not instructing on real estate strategies, but rather his involvement in the scheme. During an exclusive interview, Griffin confronted a former instructor from Trump University regarding the financially burdensome methods of a sequence of real estate workshops that led to legal actions by participants. Griffin’s insightful, Emmy-award winning examination of fraud allegations against Trump University in 2016 revealed the dubious nature of the seminars.
Lindell, who lacked substantial evidence, eventually revealed the truth. Griffin engaged in a lengthy interview with Lindell to assess his assertions and, upon examining the alleged proof, endeavored to debunk the misconceptions surrounding the extensive electoral fraud. Griffin directly challenged MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a prominent disseminator of misinformation, in the face of his continued denial of the election results.
During specific instances, when government officials engaged in private discussions, reporters like Griffin were unable to participate and discuss subjects openly.
In 2013, when Griffin learned about the rampant fraud in California’s state drug rehab program, he finally tracked down the head of the California Agency Services and Health Human, who had been dodging Griffin’s questions by running to a locked restroom. This resulted in a public apology from the director of the program and a legislative probe that pressed officials to charge him and conduct an investigation.
More recently, during the investigation of the insurrection, the House select committee and Department of Justice referenced Griffin’s collection of research in legal documents, revealing the risks posed by individuals who deny the outcome of elections following the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
One of his most unforgettable on-air moments was when he saved a man by dragging him out of a sinking pickup truck during Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Griffin’s work was centered around investigative journalism, and he frequently engaged in breaking news coverage, ranging from mass shootings to destructive hurricanes.
Griffin, while being private and intense, took great care to wrap up the big stories which swept him across the world, so he could spend time with his family and get home. You would often find Griffin hand-crafting thank-you notes to those who appeared in his stories, knowing that the audience would appreciate his hard-hitting interviews. Behind the scenes, Griffin’s compassion, graciousness, doggedness, and hard work defined him, yet he spoke with confidence for himself.
The veteran journalist was always ready to lend a helping hand – and deeply cared about his team of reporters, who remembered him as a consummate professional and a kind mentor to younger colleagues.
DiCarlo described her experience working with Griffin as “hitting the jackpot in her career.”
DiCarlo expressed, “We were known as Team Drew. There was no one else comparable to him. When considering the group of producers who collaborated closely with Griffin on his narratives, this is an extremely tragic setback. Many individuals who worked alongside him deeply cherished him, and this loss is particularly devastating due to the sheer number of people affected.”
Griffin, a native of Chicago, began his reporting career as a reporter/cameraman for WICD-TV in Champaign, Illinois. He spent working stints at TV stations in Florida, North and South Carolina, and Washington. In January 1994, he joined Los Angeles News 2 CBS, where he worked as an anchor and reporter, helping to create the station’s investigative team. When he joined KIRO-TV in Seattle, he became an investigative reporter.
He had two grandchildren and – and two grandchildren. Sons, Louis and Miles Griffin – and two grandchildren. Daughter, Ele Gast; sons, Louis and Miles Griffin – and two grandchildren. In addition to his three children whose names were influenced by jazz legends – daughter, Ele Gast; sons, Louis and Miles Griffin – and two grandchildren, he also adored them. Along with friends, he also adored his three children whose names were inspired by jazz greats – daughter, Ele Gast; sons, Louis and Miles Griffin – and two grandchildren. He cherished traveling with his wife Margot, playing the trumpet, or enjoying a round of golf with friends when he wasn’t pursuing his next news story, according to family members.
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