Kim Ogg's Oprah Moment

Outgoing DA hands out free "challenge coins" to reporters gathered for press conference

At the conclusion of a defiant press conference yesterday, disgraced DA Kim Ogg made another bizarre move: She handed out “challenge coins” to press gathered in the 12th floor of the Criminal Justice Center.

Zoom out: Challenge coins are small, custom-made coins or medallions often used by organizations, military units, or groups to signify membership, boost morale, or commemorate significant events, with a tradition of being exchanged as a token of camaraderie or recognition.

Why it matters: It's ethically dubious to give a gift to any reporter who is supposed to cover you objectively because it may create a conflict of interest, potentially compromising the reporter's ability to maintain impartiality and integrity in their reporting.

Reality check: While challenge coins can be pricey, it’s unlikely yesterday’s giveaway did anything to garner the DA favorable coverage. Still, it points to a greater pattern of ethically compromised behavior from the DA, who has given special treatment to her political allies, selectively leaked details of ongoing criminal investigations to conservative-leaving reporters, taken campaign contributions from her own staff, and so much more.

One more thing: This isn’t the first time Ogg has gifted a reporter something of value. Several years ago she gave former Houston Chronicle reporter Keri Blakinger a…well, let’s say suggestively shaped rock as a gift:

Blakinger’s full X thread on the exchange (including a picture of the rock) is worth a read.

Where you one of the reporters who received a challenge coin? Send us a picture and we’ll post it here. (We’ll keep you anonymous!)