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
What happens if CA FAIR Plan goes bankrupt? Here's how it could affect policyholders
"You can bet that if the FAIR Plan goes bankrupt - and it's a good bet it will - the insurance companies will come after us to pay the debts that they owe," said Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog.
CA congressman calls out state's insurance boss to implement rate freeze amid crisis: 'Do your job'
"Get off your butt and do your job," says former California Insurance Commissioner, Rep. John Garamendi to current Commissioner Ricardo Lara as wildfire damage calls into question the stability of the state's insurance market. "The fundamental problem is...he's rolled over and is simply a lapdog to the insurance companies."
FAIR Plan coverage caps at $3 million: Here's why experts are worried about Bay Area housing market
"There's no question there's going to be a lot of people impacted by this fire and their insurance falls short," said Amy Bach, with United Policyholders. As wildfire victims are forced to the California FAIR Plan, new concerns are being raised about its coverage caps and the impact on the housing market.
Experts warn CA homeowners insurance premiums could spike in wake of SoCal wildfires
Analysts say the Los Angeles fires along with the state's new reform plan, could raise insurance premiums by 40% on average, and up to 100% or more in fire-prone areas.
SF homeowner spent $42K to appeal Liberty Mutual's non-renewal but it didn't work. Here's why
Consumers are getting dropped by the company due to aerial images alleging a wide range of problems that either weren't there or in other cases, residents who made the required changes still got dropped over something as simple as technical issues with trying to appeal their application.
'Mold, algae': Insurer drops SF homeowners, citing aerial footage of roof that didn't exist
After the insurance non-renewal, the couple hired a roof inspector who told them their roof is good for another 20 years. "Perfect, I don't see nothing wrong with it," he said.
What's next in California's insurance crisis? Commissioner Lara lays out plan, addresses criticism
Significant questions are being raised about promises made by California's Insurance Commissioner alleging insurers will be expanding coverage in fire-prone areas by 85%. 7 On Your Side investigates the promises Commissioner Ricardo Lara has made versus the fine print in his regulation.
Paying Meta for 'Verified' Facebook customer service still can't restore stolen account
"They're basically saying, 'Solve this yourself.' I'm paying money to get nothing," the Tracy man said of Meta Verified.
CA insurance commissioner responds to criticism over lack of transparency, accountability
California's insurance crisis is in chaos, spurring calls for the Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to step down if he's unwilling to hold insurers accountable. Here's a look at the stark criticism he's facing.
Angry CA drivers say DMV lookalike website 'NeedTags' tricks them to paying extra fees
"The Department of Motor Vehicles offers the same functions for nothing. Why is there a NeedTags?" one driver asked.