In 1998, the Monica Lewinsky scandal enveloped the presidency and Congress. Michael Isikoff was the first to hear the Lewinsky-Tripp tapes and led the initial reporting of the story. His first story, with remarkable detail and scope, sets a standard for investigative reporting and balance in writing in a story with, his editor noted, "few credible witnesses and many rumors." His subsequent stories continued to offer readers nuanced, detailed and often exclusive information in a story that dominated the year's headlines. His coverage was balanced, compelling and clear and holds up well, more than a year later, despite the controversy surrounding the scandal.