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
Oakland man dies from 'reckless overmedication' after escaping from nursing home, complaint alleges
According to a complaint filed in Alameda County Superior Court, the facility is accused of chemically restraining an Oakland man for "convenience" without any consultation from his doctor.
Oakland voting on possible $6 million contract to bring 'critical' software to police, 911 center
The Oakland Police Department is one step closer to getting a huge technology upgrade that could cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
VP Kamala Harris secures enough delegates to become Democratic nominee for president
Vice President and Bay Area native Kamala Harris has enough delegates to win the democratic presidential nomination.
Measure for new Solano County city no longer on November ballot, officials say: Here's why
The company hoping to build a new city near Fairfield in Solano County announced the measure will no longer be in the November ballot despite getting enough signatures in May.
Safety of Bay Area leaders looked into amid unprecedented threats, Trump assassination attempt
The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump comes at a time when public officials are facing an unprecedented number of threats.
San Francisco neighbors hot over EV cooling fans causing noise nuisance
Neighbors say the charging station has been there around six to nine months now - making it hard to work or even sleep. ABC7 News went out to the area to test the decibel levels based on guidance from San Francisco's noise and sound code.
Michelin-starred $230 omakase dining experience canceled at iconic Hillsborough 'Flintstone House'
The Michelin-starred omakase dining experience being offered at the iconic "Flintstone House" will be canceled after the town of Hillsborough raised concerns about code violations.
AG Bonta, Trump among politicians who received most from Oakland family tied to FBI corruption probe
Andy Duong's recommendations called out an alleged request from California Attorney General Rob Bonta to sponsor his biggest "fundraising" saying "he is one of the best ally to ever support and will deliver whatever we ask for when help needs in the future."
Report alleges 'campaign contribution laundering scheme' involving Oakland mayor, city officials
According to an investigation by the Fair Political Practices Commission, "Andy Duong was the true source of at least 93 contributions to multiple local campaign committees when he created a campaign contribution laundering scheme to benefit his family-owned company, California Waste Solutions."
Paul Pelosi attack: Possible interference investigated in state trial of David DePape
New developments on Tuesday in the state case against David DePape which could present a significant wrinkle in the second trial of Paul Pelosi's attacker.