Home About Episodes Watch Contact Subscribe Now
About the Podcast

The Story Behind
The Files

Decades of investigative experience. One microphone. No agenda but the truth.

Our Mission

Accountability Through
Transparency

The Fairfax Files exists for a single purpose: to shine a light on the systemic failures in corporations, governments, and international institutions that erode public trust and enable corruption to thrive.

Through in-depth interviews and case-study analysis, each episode dissects real-world scandals, compliance breakdowns, and governance failures. We don't deal in speculation. We deal in files: documented, investigated, and presented with the rigor of a frontline investigator.

Whether it's a multinational bribery scheme, a failure of corporate oversight, or a government cover-up, The Fairfax Files brings clarity to complexity and accountability to those who avoid it.

FF
Michael J. Hershman
The Host

Michael J.
Hershman

Michael J. Hershman is the President and CEO of The Fairfax Group, a global risk management and investigations firm with operations in over 140 countries. With more than four decades of experience, he is one of the world's foremost authorities on corporate governance, compliance, and anti-corruption.

As a former investigator during the Watergate era and co-founder of Transparency International, the world's leading anti-corruption organization, Hershman has spent his career at the nexus of power, law, and accountability.

From 1990 to 1996, he co-hosted The Law Show on National Public Radio, interviewing Supreme Court Justices, leading trial lawyers, and Washington insiders about the most pressing legal issues of the time.

Now, with The Fairfax Files, he brings that same investigative depth to a new generation of stories, exploring the cases, the people, and the systems that shape our world.

Career Highlights
1970s

Watergate-Era Investigations

Began career in federal investigations during one of America's most pivotal political crises.

1983

Founded The Fairfax Group

Established a global risk management and investigations firm, expanding to over 140 countries.

1993

Co-Founded Transparency International

Helped launch the world's leading anti-corruption organization, now active in over 100 countries.

1990–1996

The Law Show on NPR

Co-hosted a nationally broadcast legal affairs program on NPR and CBS, interviewing Supreme Court Justices and top legal minds.

2026

The Fairfax Files Launches

A new video podcast bringing decades of investigative expertise to stories of power, corruption, and accountability.

Ready to Explore the Files?

Start with episode one or browse the full archive.

Browse Episodes