Jeff Gerth (born January 1, 1944) is an American investigative journalist and author. He gained prominence during his over two-decade tenure at The New York Times, where he served as a senior reporter specializing in national security, government scandals, and intelligence matters. Gerth was known for his meticulous, in-depth reporting that often involved lengthy investigations into complex issues, earning him a reputation as a probing and influential voice in American journalism. Among his most significant contributions were stories on the Whitewater real estate controversy involving President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton, as well as the case of Chinese-American nuclear scientist Wen Ho Lee, accused of espionage. In 1999, Gerth shared the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting with Eric Schmitt for their series exposing the transfer of sensitive U.S. satellite-launch technology to China, highlighting national security vulnerabilities. After leaving The New York Times in 2003, Gerth co-founded the nonprofit investigative news organization ProPublica in 2007, where he helped establish it as a leader in accountability journalism, focusing on stories of public interest and government oversight. His work has also included coverage of intelligence agencies and policy failures, and he has reported on figures such as former Congresswoman Jane Harman. His career underscores a commitment to uncovering influence networks and ethical lapses in power structures, influencing public discourse on transparency and accountability.