Stephanie Sierra
From fraud and corruption to health care and public safety - her beat encompasses a little bit of everything.
Over the past four years at KGO-TV, she has been committed to exposing abuse of power and taxpayer money at every level of government. These stories have exposed well-known nonprofits, politicians, and influential billionaires.
In 2023, she won a regional Emmy for her investigation into a local county Sheriff accused of favoring campaign donors when issuing concealed carry permits. The story prompted action from the FBI's political corruption unit and the county Board of Supervisors. As a result, a local oversight organization fought to ensure accountability and transparency in future operations within the department.
Her investigations have exposed loopholes in numerous state laws that have resulted in added protections for wildfire insurance, medical billing, and regional cybersecurity practices. In April, her series on Oakland's ransomware hack revealed a pattern of oversight and negligence - causing dozens of people who had their social security numbers leaked but were never notified by the city.
In February, she exposed concerns about sex trafficking operations outside a grade school in Oakland that prompted action from local and federal authorities to install barricades and cameras to deter the crime.
Stephanie reported extensively on public health during the pandemic. Her work shed light on critical new medical technologies-including a Bay Area COVID-testing company that worked with the California Dept. of Public Health to save the State tens of millions of dollars with processing costs.
While at ABC7, her public health and consumer reporting have received multiple Emmy nominations from the Northern California Academy of Arts & Sciences and prompted action by the FDA.
She's also covered the gruesome murder trials of Chris Watts and Patrick Frazee in Colorado to the high-profile fraud trial of Elizabeth Holmes on the Peninsula.
Her passion for journalism started during her time at Mercy High School in Burlingame. "Career Day" transformed into a lifelong pursuit of storytelling. She graduated from the University of Missouri, majoring in broadcast journalism with a focus on investigative journalism.
After graduating, she braved the bomb cyclone blizzards and high altitude of the Rockies at the ABC affiliate in Colorado Springs (KRDO-TV) as an anchor and investigative reporter. Her year-long investigation uncovering the illicit massage industry in southern Colorado resulted in six women being rescued from human trafficking operations. It was honored with a regional Emmy and two National Edward R. Murrow awards. This followed years of consumer reporting on widespread contractor scams that prompted action by the Federal Trade Commission.
Stephanie is happy to be back home in the Bay Area, surrounded by the ocean views and majestic redwoods. You can often find her in San Francisco's Marina district with her 5-year-old dog Bubba!
If you have a story idea or want to say hello - contact her at Stephanie.K.Sierra@abc.com or on social platforms @StephanieABC7 & @StephanieKSierra.
Stephanie's Stories
California Forever opens 2 offices where residents can preview 'new walkable city'
California Forever, the billionaire-backed company that's proposing to build a new city in Solano County, opened up offices Thursday that will soon outline their plans. Inside the offices are posters of renderings of what the city could look like - people fishing, riding bikes, and lots of walking.
Sierra Club calls California Forever's plan for new Solano Co. city a 'hostile takeover'
During a press conference Tuesday, the Sierra Club accused California Forever of endangering Travis Air Force Base by ignoring years of smart-growth planning.
Thanksgiving travelers prepare for 'new COVID threat.' It's called HV.1
As hundreds of thousands of travelers will pass through Bay Area airports this week, doctors are urging passengers to wear masks as a new variant is circulating.
Jury finds man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband guilty of federal assault, attempted kidnapping
A jury has found David DePape, the man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband, guilty of federal assault and attempted kidnapping charges.
Man accused of attacking Nancy Pelosi's husband breaks out in tears in trial, shows little remorse
David DePape spoke for more than an hour, often getting emotional and crying about how his political leanings went from leftist to right-wing after reading a comment on a YouTube video about former President Donald Trump.
Paul Pelosi testifies in trial against man accused of attacking him with a hammer at SF home
The husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took the stand on Monday as he recalled being attacked by a hammer-wielding suspect and waking up in a pool of his own blood.
The man accused of attacking Nancy Pelosi's husband was caught up in conspiracies, defense says
"The evidence in this case is going show that when the defendant used this hammer to break into the Pelosi's home he intended to kidnap Nancy Pelosi," Vartain Horn said, holding a hammer inside a plastic evidence bag.
First responders worried APEC street closures could impact emergency response times
How will APEC street closures impact emergency response times? There appear to be differing views from federal authorities and local agencies.
David DePape: Jury pool for man charged with attack on Paul Pelosi discuss politics, biases, QAnon
In total, 12 jurors and two alternates will be selected to decide DePape's fate. They were asked to answer questions on a wide range of topics, including whether they are represented by Rep. Pelosi, if they have ever supported her campaign, or expressed opinions about her on social media.
San Mateo County schools' drinking water contaminated with nitrate
"It's disgusting." Drinking water is contaminated with nitrate at two San Mateo County schools. This photo taken in October after a beaker was filled with water from the faucet in the high school science classroom.