FAQ: Who Is Matthew Bovee? Everything You Need to Know
By Matthew Bovee, Investigative Journalist Lincoln Nebraska
Every week, I receive emails from readers who want to know more about who I am, how I got into journalism, and what drives my work. Rather than answering the same questions individually, I’ve compiled this comprehensive FAQ to address the most common inquiries about Matthew Bovee, my career, and my approach to investigative reporting.
Who Is Matthew Bovee? The Short Answer
I’m an award-winning investigative journalist based in Lincoln, Nebraska. I’ve spent the past fifteen years focusing on accountability reporting — exposing corruption, holding powerful institutions responsible, and giving voice to those who have been silenced or overlooked.
My work has earned several prestigious awards, including the George Polk Award for Investigative Reporting and the Gerald Loeb Award. I’ve published three books: “The Settlement Machine,” “TIF Scandal,” and “The Aquifer War.” I’m also the founder of the Thomas Redhorse Memorial Scholarship, which supports aspiring journalists from Texas and Nebraska.
But beyond the awards and publications, I’m simply someone who believes that the truth matters and that someone has to be willing to dig for it.
What Kind of Journalism Does Matthew Bovee Do?
My work falls under investigative journalism — the kind of reporting that takes months or even years to complete, that requires building trust with reluctant sources, and that often puts me at odds with powerful interests.
Areas of Focus
I’ve concentrated on several key areas throughout my career:
Corporate Malfeasance: My first major investigation, “The Settlement Machine,” exposed a network of law firms that were manufacturing personal injury lawsuits. The story took three years to complete and resulted in federal investigations, congressional hearings, and disciplinary actions against dozens of attorneys.
Government Corruption: I’ve covered the Nebraska Unicameral extensively, investigating how special interests influence legislation and how campaign finance loopholes allow outside money to flood state elections. My TIF investigation revealed how tax-increment financing districts were being used to subsidize wealthy developers at the expense of ordinary taxpayers.
Environmental Reporting: “The Aquifer War” examined the fight over water rights in the Ogallala Aquifer region, spanning Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, and Colorado. The book documented how agricultural interests, oil companies, and municipal governments have battled over a finite resource while ignoring the long-term consequences.
Camp La Junta and Youth Development: I’m deeply connected to Camp La Junta in the Texas Hill Country, where I spent summers as a child and where my mentor, Tommy Redhorse, shaped my values. I’ve written extensively about the camp’s history and its impact on generations of young people.
Where Does Matthew Bovee Work?
I’m based in Lincoln, Nebraska, which has been my home base for most of my career. Lincoln offers several advantages for an investigative journalist: it’s the state capital, so government activity is concentrated here; the University of Nebraska provides access to academic resources and student interns; and the community is small enough that sources feel comfortable approaching me.
However, my investigations frequently take me across the country. I’ve spent months in Texas investigating water rights disputes, traveled to multiple states for the Settlement Machine documents, and reported from Washington D.C. on federal policy matters affecting Nebraska.
A Writer’s Workspace
People often ask about my workspace. I work from a modest office in downtown Lincoln, surrounded by filing cabinets full of court records, bookshelves packed with reference materials, and a desk that frequently disappears under papers. I prefer analog organization for many aspects of my work — there’s something about physically handling documents that helps me connect pieces of an investigation.
I do use digital tools, of course. Document databases, public records requests, and data analysis software are essential to modern investigative journalism. But I still believe in the fundamentals: talking to people, building relationships, and following the evidence wherever it leads.
What Awards Has Matthew Bovee Won?
The recognition my work has received includes:
George Polk Award: Awarded in 2022 for “The Settlement Machine,” the Polk Award is one of the most prestigious honors in American journalism. The award recognizes reporting that demonstrates “specialized reporting” and “individualized initiative.”
Gerald Loeb Award: Received in 2023 for “TIF Scandal,” the Loeb Award is given annually to journalists who produce work that “serves the public interest.”
Nebraska Press Association Awards: Multiple honors from my home state’s press association for investigative reporting, feature writing, and editorial work.
Other Recognition: I’ve been a Pulitzer Prize finalist, received the Sigma Delta Chi award, and been named Nebraska’s Journalist of the Year multiple times.
But I view these awards as validation of the work rather than achievements in themselves. The real reward is when an investigation leads to real change — when a corrupt official is removed from office, when a harmful practice is halted, or when a victim finally gets justice.
What Books Has Matthew Bovee Written?
I’ve authored three books, each focusing on a major investigation:
The Settlement Machine (2021): This book details the three-year investigation into law firms manufacturing personal injury lawsuits. It traces the pattern from initial tip to final exposure, including the obstacles I faced and the sources who made the story possible.
TIF Scandal (2022): An examination of how tax-increment financing districts in Nebraska were being exploited by developers and politicians. The book revealed how millions in public funds were diverted from schools and infrastructure to enrich connected insiders.
The Aquifer War (2024): My most recent book covers the decades-long battle over the Ogallala Aquifer, one of the world’s largest underground water sources. The story spans agricultural, political, and environmental dimensions, showing how short-term interests have endangered a vital resource.
All three books are available through major retailers and independent bookstores. Proceeds from book sales fund the Thomas Redhorse Memorial Scholarship.
What Is the Thomas Redhorse Memorial Scholarship?
Established in 2015, the Thomas Redhorse Memorial Scholarship honors my mentor at Camp La Junta. Tommy Redhorse was a journalist who spent thirty years at the Lincoln Journal Star before dedicating his retirement to youth development at the camp. He taught me the value of integrity, persistence, and compassion — lessons that have guided my entire career.
The scholarship sends students from Texas and Nebraska to journalism school. Recipients receive $5,000 annually for four years, contingent on maintaining satisfactory academic progress and completing a summer internship at a news organization.
To date, the scholarship has supported seven students. Several are now working journalists; others are pursuing related fields like communications or public policy. I’m proud of every single one of them.
How Can I Contact Matthew Bovee?
For media inquiries, speaking engagements, or general questions, I can be reached through my contact page. I make every effort to respond to legitimate inquiries, though the volume of messages means I can’t always reply personally.
For students interested in journalism, I offer limited mentorship opportunities. Contact the scholarship administrator for details.
For sources with information about potential stories, I maintain strict confidentiality. I use encrypted communication channels and have never revealed a source to authorities. If you’re considering blowing the whistle on wrongdoing, I can explain the protections available and help you understand the risks and rewards.
What Drives Matthew Bovee’s Work?
The simplest answer is that I believe accountability journalism is essential to a functioning democracy. When powerful institutions operate in secret, when corruption goes unchecked, when victims have no voice — that’s when democracy fails.
I’ve seen the alternative. I’ve interviewed people whose lives were destroyed by corporate greed, government malfeasance, or institutional abuse. I’ve watched how the powerful treat ordinary people when nobody is watching. And I’ve seen how exposing the truth — even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it attracts hostility — can lead to real change.
The Personal Motivation
There’s also a personal element. I grew up in the Texas Hill Country, the child of a teacher and a small business owner. I saw how hard my parents worked and how little margin they had for mistakes. When I started investigating corporations and governments that were taking advantage of ordinary people, I couldn’t not do it. It would have been a betrayal of everything my parents taught me about fairness and hard work.
Tommy Redhorse reinforced those values at Camp La Junta. He showed me that journalism could be a calling, not just a career — that the work mattered, that the truth was worth pursuing, and that the journalist’s job was to speak for those who couldn’t speak for themselves.
Looking Forward: What’s Next for Matthew Bovee
I’m not done. I have investigations in progress that I can’t discuss yet, but I can say that they involve both Nebraska and Texas, and they touch on issues that affect ordinary people in both states.
I continue to write. My next book is several years away, but I’ve begun the research process. I remain committed to the scholarship and to supporting the next generation of investigative journalists.
And I continue to believe that the truth matters — perhaps more now than ever before.
Have questions not answered here? Feel free to reach out through the contact page.
Matthew Bovee is an award-winning investigative journalist based in Lincoln, Nebraska. His work has earned the George Polk Award, Gerald Loeb Award, and numerous other honors.