Mahsa Saeidi is an investigative reporter at WFLA in Tampa covering Gov. Ron DeSantis, the coronavirus pandemic and crime and injustice. Saeidi, a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and former Assistant District Attorney, asks the toughest questions to hold the powerful accountable.
As coronavirus cases soared, Saeidi challenged Florida’s reopening plans whenever the state’s policy contradicted recommendations of the mainstream scientific community. She pushed for the release of critical information about the spread of the virus inside nursing homes. Additionally, inadequacies in Florida’s COVID-19 testing system were revealed in real time.
Saeidi extensively covered the 2020 presidential election and exposed weaknesses in Florida’s voter registration system. Utilizing public records, Saeidi determined there were no widespread voter fraud claims or convictions in the state. Her continued coverage combatted misinformation and disinformation, educating voters on the integrity of the electoral process.
Saeidi joined the investigative unit at WFLA-TV in March of 2019.
The former prosecutor is passionate about covering law enforcement and issues related to crime and injustice. Saeidi has received two Emmy Awards for exposing police response time and investigative tactics during her time at WFLA-TV.
Before moving to Tampa, Saeidi spent close to four years at KTNV-TV in Las Vegas. She joined the team as a reporter in 2015. Two years later, she was promoted to weekday anchor.
Saeidi found and interviewed key players in dozens of the biggest stories in Las Vegas, including the aftermath of the mass shooting. In 2017, she provided live legal analysis of the O.J. Simpson parole hearing in real time during wall-to-wall coverage. While at KTNV-TV, Saeidi was also honored with an Emmy Award for her work in eradicating troublesome squatters from homes.
She earns trust, forms a bond and tells the stories that you won’t see elsewhere.
Saeidi also has extensive experience covering breaking news in New York City. While at NY1, Time Warner Cable’s 24-hour news channel, Saeidi reported on major events including the execution of two NYPD officers, the death of Eric Garner and the growing tensions between the community and police.
Prior to her career as a journalist, Saeidi was an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn. She also appeared as a legal analyst on various networks. Currently, she is licensed to practice law in New York State.
Born in Iran, Saeidi moved to Northern Virginia when she was in elementary school. She studied Pre-Med Biology at the University of Virginia and received her law degree from Brooklyn Law School. She loves to oil paint, read and lounge at Tampa’s playgrounds with her daughter.
