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Investigative Reporter

Cynthia Dizikes

Cynthia Dizikes is an investigative reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. Before joining the Chronicle in 2016, Dizikes worked in Chicago where she focused on government agencies and the courts. In addition to investigations, Dizikes has a background in general assignment and political reporting. She previously covered the Minnesota congressional delegation in Washington D.C.

Stories By Cynthia Dizikes

Montana woman accuses ex-Windsor mayor of raping her when she was 18

A 20-year-old woman has filed a lawsuit in Sonoma County accusing former Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli of raping her several times in 2020. She is now the 14th woman to publicly accuse Foppoli of sexual assault or misconduct. By Julie Johnson, Alexandria Bordas and Cynthia Dizikes

New report finds S.F.’s biggest development project ignores huge climate change risk: rising contamination

Rising seas could push hazardous chemicals to the surface at San Francisco’s biggest redevelopment project, and the city is unprepared for the risks, according to a new report by the San Francisco civil grand jury. A Chronicle investigation... By Jason Fagone and Cynthia Dizikes

Shots fired at Lake Merritt hours after abortion rights rally

The sound of gunfire reverberated around Lake Merritt on a hot Saturday afternoon that had drawn hundreds of residents to the popular Oakland waterfront hours earlier for an abortion rights rally. By Cynthia Dizikes and Raheem Hosseini

Could a cell phone case with an image of Tupac Shakur hold the key to Alexis Gabe’s disappearance?

Oakley police officers investigating the disappearance of a local woman announced late Friday that they had located her cell phone case, which they described as a key piece of evidence. By Cynthia Dizikes

California medical board to investigate 2-year-old’s death at John Muir Medical Center

The inquiry by the Medical Board of California comes in response to a Chronicle investigation that found John Muir Health leaders had dismissed warnings from their staff that the community hospital was not equipped to handle such a specialized... By Matthias Gafni and Cynthia Dizikes

California medical board to investigate 2-year-old’s death at John Muir Medical Center

The inquiry by the Medical Board of California comes in response to a Chronicle investigation that found John Muir Health leaders had dismissed warnings from their staff that the community hospital was not equipped to handle such a specialized... By Matthias Gafni and Cynthia Dizikes

Their 2-year-old daughter died in surgery. They had no idea the hospital was warned it couldn’t handle her case

It was just before dawn on a clear, slightly breezy Tuesday when a Danville couple checked their 2-year-old daughter in for surgery at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. Three months had passed since the girl, Ailee, began saying, “Owie,... By Matthias Gafni and Cynthia Dizikes

‘We are taking charge’: 7 women sue ex-Windsor mayor, winery and social club over alleged sexual assaults

One year after sexual assault allegations against Dominic Foppoli were first exposed in a Chronicle investigation, seven of his alleged victims filed a lawsuit in Sonoma County on Monday against Foppoli, his winery and a national civic... By Alexandria Bordas and Cynthia Dizikes

Criminal inquiry into former Windsor mayor closed, charges decision pending

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office has concluded its investigation into sexual assault allegations made against former Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli and passed the final report to the California Attorney General’s Office, a spokesman told The... By Alexandria Bordas and Cynthia Dizikes

Documents: Palm Beach police did not interview Foppoli, witnesses after Farrah Abraham rape allegation

Records released by the Palm Beach Police Department on Friday reveal new details of former reality TV star Farrah Abraham’s allegations against Dominic Foppoli, who was the mayor of Windsor, as well as how the case against the winery owner... By Cynthia Dizikes

Palm Beach suspends investigation into Farrah Abraham accusation against ex-Windsor mayor Dominic Foppoli

While a separate local inquiry is proceeding, police in Florida said they had “exhausted” all leads into the sexual assault allegation made last year against Foppoli, who has denied doing anything wrong. By Alexandria Bordas and Cynthia Dizikes

Criminal inquiry into former Windsor mayor moves forward

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said it has passed off a portion of its investigation into Dominic Foppoli to the Attorney General’s Office for review. Thirteen women have accused the former politician of sexual assault or misconduct. By Alexandria Bordas and Cynthia Dizikes

What you need to know about The Chronicle’s ongoing investigation of former Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli

In April, The Chronicle published the first in a series of stories investigating accusations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct against Dominic Foppoli, the mayor of Windsor, a Wine Country town that had seen its profile rise alongside... By Alexandria Bordas, Cynthia Dizikes and Alex K. Fong

Dominic Foppoli investigation: Before raid of ex-mayor’s home, woman came forward with new assault allegation

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said the allegation would fall within California’s statute of limitations for prosecuting felony sex crimes. Nine other women have previously accused the former Windsor mayor of sexual assault in a series of... By Julie Johnson, Alexandria Bordas and Cynthia Dizikes

Police raid Windsor home of former Mayor Dominic Foppoli in sexual assault investigation

Nine women have come forward in a series of Chronicle investigations this year to publicly to accuse Foppoli of sexual assault or misconduct, including rape, forcible groping and nonconsensual oral copulation. The former mayor has denied the... By Alexandria Bordas and Cynthia Dizikes

He resigned amid sexual assault allegations. Now, ex-Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli is signaling he may run again for office

Facing criminal investigations and allegations of sexual assault from multiple women, Foppoli filed paperwork with Windsor officials this week signifying his intent to run for mayor in November 2022. He had resigned from office in May, after nine... By Alexandria Bordas and Cynthia Dizikes

State officials open second ethics investigation into ex-Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli

The Fair Political Practices Commission notified Foppoli that it had launched an investigation into allegations that he violated “the conflict of interest provisions of the Political Reform Act.” He resigned as mayor in May after nine women... By Cynthia Dizikes

Jon Jacobo, rising San Francisco political star, resigns from commission after rape accusation

Sasha Perigo, a tenant rights advocate, alleges that after she visited Jacobo at his apartment in the Mission one evening in April, he forcibly groped and kissed her, and raped her the next morning. Jacobo, in a series of tweets, said he... By Cynthia Dizikes and Matthias Gafni

Lava Fire prompts warning of possible evacuations in Weed

The Siskiyou Sheriff’s Office has alerted people living north of Weed to be prepared to evacuate the area as the Lava Fire grew Sunday to 410 acres. By Cynthia Dizikes

Teen arrested, accused of firing gun, sending family members fleeing their home

The Antioch Police Department has arrested an 18-year-old for allegedly brandishing a handgun at family members Saturday night and firing several shots as they fled their home. Cynthia Dizikes