Podcast: Lawrence Tabak digs deep into Foxconn

The Madison-based journalist discusses his extensive reporting on Wisconsin’s suspect deal with the electronics giant. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons.)

Some of the best and most damning journalism on Wisconsin’s multibillion-dollar, taxpayer-funded deal with Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn has come from Lawrence Tabak, a freelance writer based in Madison. In a series of deep-digging stories for Belt Magazine and other outlets, Tabak has detailed the unjust use of property seizures and eminent domain to clear land for Foxconn’s massive factory complex in the village of Mt Pleasant. He’s detailed the mechanics of how companies like Foxconn play state and local governments for subsidies, and explained why all those promised high-paying jobs probably won’t materialize. Tabak also recently appeared on a Reply All podcast episode about the Foxconn project.

Tabak sat down with us recently to discuss how he got interested in the Foxconn project and what he discovered in the course of his reporting.

Give the conversation a listen here, or subscribe to the Tone Madison podcast on Apple Podcasts. If you like what you’re hearing, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and consider supporting us financially with a one-time or recurring donation.