James O'Keefe#Reception

James Edward O'Keefe III was born in Bergen County, New Jersey, the elder of two children of James, a materials engineer, and Deborah O'Keefe, a physical therapist. He has a younger sister.{{Cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/acorn_sting_pimp_is_nj_man_who.html |title=ACORN sting 'pimp' is N.J. man who attended Rutgers University |first=Michael |last=Rispoli |date=September 17, 2009 |newspaper=The Star Ledger |publisher=Advance Publications |location=Newark, New Jersey |via=The Star-Ledger Archives |access-date=October 3, 2010 |archive-date=March 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313040750/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/acorn_sting_pimp_is_nj_man_who.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |work=Salon |publisher=Salon Media Group |location=San Francisco, California |title=My Right-Wing Degree: How I learned to convert liberal campuses into conservative havens at Morton Blackwell's Leadership Institute, alma mater of Karl Rove, Ralph Reed, Jeff Gannon and two Miss Americas |first=Jeff |last=Horwitz |date=May 25, 2005 |access-date=October 3, 2010 |url=http://www.salon.com/2005/05/25/blackwell_9/ |archive-date=August 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831082313/http://www.salon.com/2005/05/25/blackwell_9/ |url-status=live }}

O'Keefe grew up in Westwood, New Jersey. His home was politically "conservative but not rigidly so", according to his father. He graduated from Westwood High School, where he showed an early interest in the arts, theater and journalism. He attained Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America.{{cite news |last=Shane |first=Scott |title=A Political Gadfly Lampoons the Left via YouTube |newspaper=The New York Times |location=New York City |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/us/19sting.html |date=September 18, 2009 |access-date=October 30, 2016 |archive-date=May 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513193051/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/us/19sting.html |url-status=live }} O'Keefe started at Rutgers University in 2002 and majored in philosophy. Beginning in his sophomore year, he wrote a bi-weekly opinion column for The Daily Targum, the university's student paper. He left the Targum and founded the Rutgers Centurion, a conservative student paper supported by a $500 "Balance in the Media" grant from The Leadership Institute.

For his first video, he and other Centurion writers met with Rutgers dining staff to demand the banning of the cereal Lucky Charms from dining halls because of its offense to Irish Americans. O'Keefe said the leprechaun mascot presented a stereotype. He intended to have officials lose either way: to appear insensitive to an ethnic group, or to look silly by agreeing to ban Lucky Charms.{{cite web |title=On The Media: Transcript of "What the Media Can Learn from James O'Keefe" (March 18, 2011) |url=http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2011/03/18/04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322052917/http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2011/03/18/04 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 22, 2011 |work=On The Media |access-date=January 28, 2020 |date=March 22, 2011}} They expected to be thrown out of school,{{cite web |url=http://www.dailytargum.com/2.4988/absurdities-and-ironies-1.1509376 |title=Absurdities and Ironies |date=April 17, 2005 |work=Daily Targum |access-date=October 3, 2010 |first=Greg|last=Walker|publisher=Rutgers University |location=New Brunswick, New Jersey|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511205851/http://www.dailytargum.com/2.4988/absurdities-and-ironies-1.1509376 |archive-date=May 11, 2011 |url-status=dead}} but the Rutgers official was courteous, took notes, and said their concerns would be considered. Rutgers staff say the cereal was never taken off the menu.

After graduating from Rutgers, O'Keefe worked for a year at the Leadership Institute (LI) in Arlington, Virginia, under media specialist Ben Wetmore, whom O'Keefe calls his mentor. The institute sent him to colleges to train students to start conservative independent newspapers, but, after a year LI officials asked him to leave. According to LI president and founder Morton Blackwell, O'Keefe was "very effective and very enthusiastic" but after a year he was asked to leave because officials felt his activist work threatened the group's nonprofit status by trying to influence legislation.

O'Keefe has produced and distributed secretly recorded and misleadingly edited videos and audio files made during staged encounters with targeted entities or individuals.{{cite magazine|first=Philip|last=Elliott|url=https://time.com/4536212/james-okeefe-project-veritas-video-democrats/|title=Everything We Know About the Latest James O'Keefe Video Sting|magazine=Time|publisher=Time, Inc.|location=New York City|date=October 18, 2016|access-date=October 21, 2016|archive-date=October 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022143405/http://time.com/4536212/james-okeefe-project-veritas-video-democrats/|url-status=live}} His work takes the form of undercover stings targeted at liberal groups and politicians.{{cite magazine |last1=Miller |first1=Zeke J. |title=Clinton Campaign On Alert For Undercover Conservative Sting |url=https://time.com/4006454/hillary-clinton-video-project-veritas/ |magazine=Time |publisher=Time, Inc. |location=New York City |access-date=November 28, 2017 |date=August 21, 2015 |archive-date=June 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605181136/http://time.com/4006454/hillary-clinton-video-project-veritas/ |url-status=live }} He sought to "embarrass" and "damage" his targets, such as Landrieu and ACORN.{{cite web |url=http://ag.ca.gov/cms_attachments/press/pdfs/n1888_acorn_report.pdf |title=Report of the Attorney General on the Activities of ACORN in California |date=April 1, 2010 |publisher=California Dept of Justice |access-date=December 9, 2011 |archive-date=June 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612181707/http://ag.ca.gov/cms_attachments/press/pdfs/n1888_acorn_report.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna35099552|title=Lawyer: Phone plot meant to embarrass senator|website=NBC News|location=New York City|first=Patrick|last=Semansky|date=January 28, 2010|access-date=October 25, 2016|archive-date=October 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025050949/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/35099552/ns/politics-more_politics/t/lawyer-phone-plot-meant-embarrass-senator/|url-status=live}}{{cite book|title=News with a View: Essays on the Eclipse of Objectivity in Modern Journalism|editor1-first=Burton III|editor1-last=St. John|editor2-first=Kirsten A.|editor2-last=Johnson|publisher=McFarland & Company|location=Jefferson, North Carolina|date=2012|pages=19–39|quote=The report concluded that: O'Keefe stated he was out to make a point and to damage ACORN and therefore did not act as a journalist objectively reporting a story.}}{{cite book|first=John|last=Atlas|title=Seeds of change: the story of ACORN, America's most controversial antipoverty community organizing group|publisher=Vanderbilt University Press|location=Nashville, Tennessee|date=2010|isbn=978-0-8265-1706-7|pages=245–250|quote=The men planned to embarrass Landrieu to help defeat her in the next election.}}

He has sought to maximize publicity by releasing secretly recorded videos over several days or months, often in relation to funding authorizations or significant political actions related to the subject organization.{{cite news|first=Perry Jr. |last=Bacon|date=October 31, 2009|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/30/AR2009103003737.html|title=ACORN video creates new conservative star|newspaper=The Washington Post|publisher=Washington Post Company|location=Washington D.C.|access-date=July 30, 2013|archive-date=September 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907211127/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/30/AR2009103003737.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first=James|last=Taranto|date=October 16, 2009|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704471504574451703003340362|title=Taking On the 'Democrat-Media Complex'|work=The Wall Street Journal|publisher=Dow Jones & Company|location=Washington D.C.|access-date=July 30, 2013|archive-date=February 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222175858/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704471504574451703003340362|url-status=live}} Many videos received widespread media coverage sparking significant reactions, most notably videos of ACORN that resulted in the Congress quickly freezing funds, two executive agencies canceling contracts, and several ACORN workers being fired, and videos of National Public Radio (NPR) executives that led to the resignation of CEO Vivian Schiller,{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/npr-ceo-resigns-amid-hidden-camera-scandal/ |title=NPR CEO resigns amid hidden-camera scandal |work=CBS News |publisher=CBS Corporation |location=New York City |agency=Associated Press |date=March 9, 2011 |access-date=November 28, 2017 |archive-date=November 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128161757/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/npr-ceo-resigns-amid-hidden-camera-scandal/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/james-okeefe-man-forced-resignation-npr-ceo-vivian/story?id=13097536 |title=James O'Keefe: Man Who Forced Resignation of NPR CEO Vivian Schiller Also Ensnared ACORN and Planned Parenthood |work=ABC News |publisher=ABC |location=New York City |date=March 9, 2011 |access-date=October 26, 2016 |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024024732/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/james-okeefe-man-forced-resignation-npr-ceo-vivian/story?id=13097536 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|first=David|last=Weigel|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-video-sting-democratic-operatives-james-okeefe-20161019-story.html|title=Two local Democratic operatives lose jobs after video sting on voter fraud|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|publisher=Tribune Publishing|location=Chicago, Illinois|date=October 19, 2016|access-date=October 26, 2016|archive-date=October 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023215328/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-video-sting-democratic-operatives-james-okeefe-20161019-story.html|url-status=live}} shortly before Congressional funding hearings involving NPR.

In January 2010, O'Keefe began a column on Breitbart{{'}}s website, BigGovernment. Andrew Breitbart stated in an interview that he paid O'Keefe a salary for his "life rights" to gain release of O'Keefe's videos first on his website.{{cite web |url=http://www.hughhewitt.com/blog/g/3c0f68ec-ee51-42ae-b9ce-a170d352c202 |title=An Interview With Andrew Breitbart About The O'Keefe Arrest |first=Hugh |last=Hewitt |author-link=Hugh Hewitt |date=January 26, 2010 |website=HughHewett.com |access-date=October 3, 2010 |archive-date=September 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924042512/http://hughhewitt.com/blog/g/3c0f68ec-ee51-42ae-b9ce-a170d352c202 |url-status=live }} In 2010, O'Keefe formed a new organization, Project Veritas, whose stated mission is "to investigate and expose corruption, dishonesty, self-dealing, waste, fraud, and other misconduct in both public and private institutions in order to achieve a more ethical and transparent society."{{cite web |url=http://www.theprojectveritas.com/about |title=About Project Veritas |publisher=TheProjectVeritas.com |access-date=October 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815082804/http://www.theprojectveritas.com/about |archive-date=August 15, 2010 |url-status=dead}}

Much of the funding for Project Veritas comes from anonymous donations through Donors Trust, a conservative, American nonprofit donor-advised fund, which according to its promotional materials, says that it will "keep your charitable giving private, especially gifts funding sensitive or controversial issues."{{cite magazine |last1=Mayer |first1=Jane |title=Sting of Myself |url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/05/30/james-okeefe-accidentally-stings-himself |magazine=The New Yorker |publisher=Condé Nast |location=New York City |access-date=May 22, 2016 |archive-date=May 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522013232/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/05/30/james-okeefe-accidentally-stings-himself |url-status=live }} Prominent donors include the Trump Foundation, which, in May 2015, donated $10,000.{{cite web|url=https://thinkprogress.org/trump-funded-james-okeefe-53015c2f44b6|title=Trump used his foundation to fund guerrilla filmmaker James O'Keefe|work=ThinkProgress|first=Josh|last=Israel|date=October 20, 2016|access-date=October 23, 2016|archive-date=October 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028030214/https://thinkprogress.org/trump-funded-james-okeefe-53015c2f44b6|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/10/21/trump-foundation-paid-activist-filmmaker-james-okeefe.html |title=Trump Foundation paid filmmaker who claims Clinton paid to incite violence at Trump rally |last=Caldwell |first=Leigh Ann |date=October 21, 2016 |work=CNBC |access-date=October 23, 2016 |archive-date=October 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022171727/http://www.cnbc.com/2016/10/21/trump-foundation-paid-activist-filmmaker-james-okeefe.html |url-status=live }}

O'Keefe is a conservative activist with mainstream conservative pro-market and anti-government views,{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/us/19sting.html |title=A Political Gadfly Lampoons the Left via YouTube |last=Shane |first=Scott |date=September 18, 2009 |newspaper=The New York Times |location=New York City |page=A9 |access-date=September 20, 2009 |archive-date=May 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513193051/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/us/19sting.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|last=Whittell|first=Giles|date=September 18, 2009|title=Anti-poverty group that helped Obama 'advises prostitutes'|newspaper=The Times|location=London, England|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6839237.ece|url-status=dead|access-date=September 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511010556/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6839237.ece|archive-date=May 11, 2011}} although he has described himself as a "progressive radical", because he wants to change things, "not conserve them". He considers himself a muckraker.{{cite news |title=James O'Keefe Requests Nonprofit Status For Project Veritas |work=The Huffington Post |publisher=Huffington Post Media Group |location=New York City |date=March 22, 2011 |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/16/james-okeefe-applies-proj_n_836661.html |access-date=March 22, 2011 |first=Carly |last=Gillis |archive-date=March 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321140751/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/16/james-okeefe-applies-proj_n_836661.html |url-status=live }} O'Keefe has expressed admiration for the philosophy of G. K. Chesterton and for a free press.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MVt62MGmOg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/_MVt62MGmOg |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=James O'Keefe on G.K. Chesterton and 'The Free Press' |format=VIDEO |publisher=VertiasVisuals |date=August 12, 2010}}{{cbignore}}

In 2006, O'Keefe met Lila Rose, the founder of an anti-abortion group on the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/us/27race.html?th&emc=th|title=To Court Blacks, Foes of Abortion Make Racial Case|last=Dewan|first=Shaila|date=February 26, 2010|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=March 20, 2010|archive-date=March 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302160255/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/us/27race.html?th&emc=th|url-status=live}} They secretly recorded encounters in Planned Parenthood clinics in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, in which Rose posed as a 15-year-old girl impregnated by a 23-year-old male. Rose and O'Keefe made two videos incorporating heavily edited{{cite book |last1=Hellinger |first1=Daniel C. |chapter=Globalization, Populism, Conspiracism |title=Conspiracies and Conspiracy Theories in the Age of Trump |date=2019 |pages=141–184 |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-98158-1_5| publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=978-3-319-98157-4|s2cid=158077533 }} versions of the recordings and released them on YouTube.{{cite web |last1=Cameron |first1=Dell |title=Republican candidates embrace dubious actors behind this week's Planned Parenthood video |url=https://www.dailydot.com/debug/gop-planned-parenthood-video/ |work=The Daily Dot |access-date=March 20, 2021 |date=July 16, 2015 |archive-date=April 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404150527/https://www.dailydot.com/debug/gop-planned-parenthood-video/ |url-status=live }} the video omitted the portions of the full conversation in which a Planned Parenthood employee asked Rose to consult her mother about the pregnancy and another employee told Rose, "We have to follow the laws". Rose took down the videos after Planned Parenthood sent her a cease and desist letter in May 2007 asserting that the videos violated California's voice recording laws, which required consent from all recorded parties.{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Krissah |author-link=Krissah Thompson |title=Two young women drive antiabortion movement's revival |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/two-va-woman-central-figures-in-antiabortion-resurgence/2014/01/21/8cfcd21e-7ef9-11e3-95c6-0a7aa80874bc_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=March 20, 2021 |date=January 21, 2014 |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127135228/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/two-va-woman-central-figures-in-antiabortion-resurgence/2014/01/21/8cfcd21e-7ef9-11e3-95c6-0a7aa80874bc_story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Abcarian |first1=Robin |title=Abortion foe goes undercover |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-26-na-abortion26-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=March 20, 2021 |date=April 26, 2009 |archive-date=March 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314162202/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-26-na-abortion26-story.html |url-status=live }}

In 2007, O'Keefe phoned several Planned Parenthood clinics and secretly recorded the conversations. He posed as a donor, asking if his donations would be applied to needs of minority women, accompanied by race-related remarks such as "there's way too many black people in Ohio".{{cite news |last1=Shane |first1=Scott |author-link=Scott Shane |title=A Political Gadfly Lampoons the Left via YouTube |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/us/19sting.html |access-date=March 20, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=September 19, 2009 |archive-date=May 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513193051/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/us/19sting.html |url-status=live }} The recordings portrayed Planned Parenthood clinic workers in six states agreeing to accept his donation under his conditions.{{cite news |last=Beaucar Vlahos |first=Kelley |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/pastors-accuse-planned-parenthood-for-genocide-on-blacks |title=Pastors Accuse Planned Parenthood for 'Genocide' on Blacks |work=Fox News |publisher=News Corp|location=New York City|date=April 24, 2008 |access-date=April 24, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080429204638/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,352537,00.html |archive-date=April 29, 2008}} After the release of the recordings, African-American leaders called for withdrawal of public financing of the organization. The Idaho clinic responded with an apology for "the manner in which this offensive call was handled". Planned Parenthood issued an official statement emphasizing that "97 percent of its services are focused on providing contraceptives, breast and cervical cancer screenings and sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment — not abortions".

{{main|ACORN 2009 undercover videos controversy}}

In September 2009, O'Keefe and his associate, Hannah Giles, published edited hidden camera recordings in which Giles posed as a prostitute and O'Keefe as her boyfriend, a law student, in an attempt to elicit damaging responses from employees of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), an advocacy organization for people of low and moderate income.

Washington Post correspondents Darryl Fears and Carol D. Leonnig reported that O'Keefe "said he targeted ACORN for the same reasons that the political right does: its massive voter registration drives" and that "[p]oliticians are getting elected single-handedly due to this organization."{{cite news |last1=Fears |first1=Darryl |last2=Leonnig |first2=Carol |title=Duo in ACORN Videos Say Effort Was Independent |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/17/AR2009091704805.html |access-date=April 1, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 18, 2009 |archive-date=December 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221135445/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/17/AR2009091704805.html |url-status=live }} According to The Washington Post, ACORN registered people mostly from the Latino and African American groups.{{cite news |last1=Hemingway |first1=Mark |title=WaPo: Sorry We Implied Giles and O'Keefe Were Racist |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/wapo-sorry-we-implied-giles-and-okeefe-were-racist-mark-hemingway/ |access-date=June 21, 2020 |work=National Review |publisher=National Review, Inc. |location=New York City |date=September 22, 2009 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308134659/https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/wapo-sorry-we-implied-giles-and-okeefe-were-racist-mark-hemingway/ |url-status=live }}

The videos were recorded during the summer of 2009According to the California Attorney General's investigation report, p. 8, the recordings occurred in ACORN offices in eight cities: Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Brooklyn, Miami, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Bernardino. and appeared to show low-level ACORN employees in six cities providing advice to Giles and O'Keefe on how to avoid detection by authorities of tax evasion, human smuggling and child prostitution. He framed the undercover recordings with a preface of him dressed in a "pimp" outfit, which he also wore in TV media interviews. This gave viewers, including the media, the impression that he had dressed that way when speaking to ACORN workers. However, he actually entered the ACORN offices in conservative street clothes (the sleeve of his dress shirt is visible on camera).{{cite news |url=http://thelensnola.org/2010/01/27/okeefe-neither-pimp-nor-journalist |title=O'Keefe: Neither Pimp nor Journalist |last=Mock |first=Brentin |date=January 27, 2010 |work=The Lens |access-date=September 18, 2012 |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723230554/http://thelensnola.org/2010/01/27/okeefe-neither-pimp-nor-journalist/ |url-status=live }} ACORN employees at two of the six offices visited by O'Keefe and Giles reported his activities to the police after he left.{{cite web |last1=Alberta |first1=Tim |title=James O'Keefe Can't Get No Respect |url=https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/05/04/james-okeefe-undercover-sting-profile-feature-2018-218015 |work=Politico |publisher=Capitol News Company |location=Washington D.C. |date=May 4, 2018 |access-date=January 28, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128201916/https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/05/04/james-okeefe-undercover-sting-profile-feature-2018-218015 |url-status=live }} O'Keefe selectively edited and manipulated his recordings of ACORN employees,[https://books.google.com/books?id=xtByAwAAQBAJ&dq=acorn+videos+selectively+edited&pg=PT204 Public Sociology], Philip Nyden, Leslie Hossfeld, Gwendolyn Nyden. SAGE Publications, 2011 and distorted the chronology of events. Several journalists and media outlets have expressed regret for not properly scrutinizing and vetting his work.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

After the videos were released through the fall of 2009, the U.S. Congress quickly voted to freeze federal funding to ACORN.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/sep/21/acorn-prostitution-videos |title=Congress cuts funding to embattled anti-poverty group Acorn |last=McGreal |first=Chris |author-link=Chris McGreal |date=September 21, 2009 |work=The Guardian |access-date=September 22, 2009 |location=London, UK |archive-date=September 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907133542/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/sep/21/acorn-prostitution-videos |url-status=live }} The Census Bureau and the IRS terminated their contract relationships with ACORN.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/12/us/politics/12acorn.html?_r=2&scp=14&sq=acorn&st=cse |work=The New York Times |title=Census Bureau Drops Acorn From 2010 Effort |date=September 12, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2017 |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707040452/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/12/us/politics/12acorn.html?_r=2&scp=14&sq=acorn&st=cse |url-status=live }} By December 2009, an external investigation of ACORN was published which cleared the organization of any illegality, while noting that its poor management practices contributed to unprofessional actions by some low-level employees.{{cite news |title=Embattled ACORN orders independent investigation |last=Theimer |first=Sharon |agency=Associated Press |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009879676_apuscongressacorn.html |access-date=October 17, 2010 |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 16, 2009 |archive-date=May 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511010601/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009879676_apuscongressacorn.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/us/politics/23brfs-ACORNHIRESFO_BRF.html |work=The New York Times |title=Acorn Hires Former State Law Enforcer |first=Jim |last=Rutenberg |date=September 23, 2009 |access-date=October 17, 2010 |archive-date=May 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513193139/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/23/us/politics/23brfs-ACORNHIRESFO_BRF.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=James |first=Frank |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2009/12/acorn_workers_cleared_of_illeg.html |title=ACORN Workers Cleared Of Illegality By Outside Probe |work=NPR |date=December 7, 2009 |access-date=October 3, 2010 |archive-date=May 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511205306/http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2009/12/acorn_workers_cleared_of_illeg.html |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |url=http://correspondents.theatlantic.com/wendy_kaminer/2009/12/acorn_and_the_ethics_of_leadership.php |title=ACORN and the Ethics of Leadership |author=Kaminer, Wendy |magazine=Atlantic Monthly |date=December 8, 2009 |access-date=October 3, 2010 |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201065320/https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2009/12/acorn-and-the-ethics-of-leadership/31474/ |url-status=live }} In March 2010, ACORN announced it would dissolve due to loss of funding from government and especially private sources.{{cite news |title=ACORN disbanding because of money woes, scandal |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=10173036 |author=Tarm, Michael |agency=Associated Press |work=ABC News |date=March 22, 2010 |access-date=October 3, 2010 |archive-date=August 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830185407/http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=10173036 |url-status=live }}

On March 1, 2010, Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes found there was no criminal wrongdoing by the ACORN staff in New York.{{cite news |last=Madden |first=Mike |title=Brooklyn prosecutors clear local ACORN office |work=Salon |publisher=Salon Media Group |location=San Francisco, California |date=March 1, 2010 |url=http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/03/01/acorn_cleared |access-date=March 7, 2010 |archive-date=March 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307082014/http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/03/01/acorn_cleared |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Newman |first=Andrew |title=Advice to Fake Pimp Was No Crime, Prosecutor Says |newspaper=The New York Times |location=New York City |date=March 1, 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/nyregion/02acorn.html |access-date=March 7, 2010 |archive-date=March 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325060338/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/nyregion/02acorn.html |url-status=live }}

The California Attorney General's Office granted O'Keefe and Giles limited immunity from prosecution in exchange for providing the full, unedited videotapes related to ACORN offices in California. On the basis of the edited videotape which O'Keefe released, Vera appeared to be a willing participant in helping with O'Keefe's plan to smuggle young women into the United States illegally. However, authorities confirmed that Vera immediately contacted them about O'Keefe and that he had also encouraged O'Keefe to share as much information as possible about his scheme and gather further evidence of O'Keefe's purported illegal activities, which could then be used by prosecutors to bring charges against O'Keefe for attempted human trafficking. Due to O'Keefe's release of the dubiously edited video, intentionally designed to "prove" that ACORN employees were ready and willing to engage in illicit activities, Vera lost his job and was falsely accused of being engaged in human trafficking. O'Keefe said that he "regrets any pain" caused by his actions, though O'Keefe's lawyer dismissed any claimed injury incurred by Vera and stated that the payment was a "nuisance settlement".{{cite magazine|first=Rick|last=Ungar|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2013/03/08/james-okeefe-pays-100000-to-acorn-employee-he-smeared-conservative-media-yawns|title=O'Keefe pays $100,000 to ACORN employee he smeared - conservative media yawns|magazine=Forbes|location=New York City|date=March 8, 2013|access-date=August 24, 2015|archive-date=September 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908130542/http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2013/03/08/james-okeefe-pays-100000-to-acorn-employee-he-smeared-conservative-media-yawns/|url-status=live}}

O'Keefe moved for summary judgment in his favor, arguing that the plaintiff had no reasonable expectation that the conversation would be private. In August 2012, the federal judge hearing the case denied O'Keefe's motion for summary judgment. The judge ruled that O'Keefe had "misled plaintiff to believe that the conversation would remain confidential by posing as a client seeking services from ACORN and asking whether their conversation was confidential."{{cite web |last1=Reynolds |first1=Matt |title=Former ACORN Worker Can Sue{{!}}Right-Winger on Privacy Claim |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/former-acorn-worker-can-sueright-winger-on-privacy-claim/ |website=Courthouse News Service |access-date=January 28, 2020 |date=August 14, 2012 |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128202848/https://www.courthousenews.com/former-acorn-worker-can-sueright-winger-on-privacy-claim/ |url-status=live }} On March 5, 2013, O'Keefe agreed to pay $100,000 to former California ACORN employee Juan Carlos Vera for breaking state law prohibiting surreptitious recording, and acknowledged in the settlement that at the time he published his video he was unaware that Vera had notified the police about the incident. The settlement contained the following apology: "O'Keefe regrets any pain suffered by Mr. Vera or his family."{{cite news |last=Perry |first=Tony |title=Conservative activist pays $100,000 to former ACORN worker |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0308-acorn-20130308,0,5432316.story?track=rss |access-date=March 10, 2013 |work=Los Angeles Times |location=Los Angeles, California |date=March 7, 2013 |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201065331/https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2013-mar-07-la-me-0308-acorn-20130308-story.html |url-status=live }}

On June 14, 2010, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published its report finding no evidence that ACORN, or any of its related organizations, had mishandled any of the $40 million in federal money which they had received in recent years.{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-atlas/acorn-vindicated-of-wrong_b_612265.html?page=3&show_comment_id=50563828 |title=ACORN Vindicated of Wrongdoing by the Congressional Watchdog Office |first=John |last=Atlas |work=The Huffington Post |publisher=Huffington Post Media Group |location=New York City |date=June 15, 2010 |access-date=October 3, 2010 |archive-date=May 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512044829/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-atlas/acorn-vindicated-of-wrong_b_612265.html?page=3&show_comment_id=50563828 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/06/14/congress.acorn/index.html |work=CNN |publisher=Turner Broadcasting Systems |location=Atlanta, Georgia |title=Preliminary report clears ACORN on funds |date=June 15, 2010 |access-date=October 3, 2010 |archive-date=August 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829184806/http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/06/14/congress.acorn/index.html |url-status=live }}

File:USMS mugshot of James O'Keefe.png mugshot of O'Keefe, following his 2010 arrest for entering a federal building under false pretenses]]

O'Keefe and colleagues were arrested in the Hale Boggs Federal Complex in New Orleans in January 2010 and charged with entering federal property under false pretenses with the intent of committing a felony, at the office of United States Senator Mary Landrieu, a Democrat. His three fellow activists, who were dressed as telephone repairmen when apprehended, included Robert Flanagan, the son of William Flanagan, acting U.S. Attorney of the Eastern District of Louisiana.{{cite web |last1=Hammer |first1=Davil |title=ACORN 'gotcha' man arrested in attempt to tamper with Mary Landrieu's office phones |url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/01/acorn_gotcha_man_arrested_for.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115033143/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/01/acorn_gotcha_man_arrested_for.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 15, 2013 |website=Nola.com |access-date=January 28, 2020 |date=January 26, 2010}}[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/26/AR2010012604145.html?sid=ST2011020203536 "James O'Keefe charged in alleged phone tampering of Senator Mary Landrieu's office"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004103747/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/26/AR2010012604145.html?sid=ST2011020203536 |date=October 4, 2018 }}, The Washington Post, January 27, 2011. The four men were charged with malicious intent to damage the phone system.{{cite press release |url=https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/neworleans/press-releases/2010/no012610.htm |title=Four Men Arrested for Entering Government Property Under False Pretenses for the Purpose of Committing a Felony |publisher=The FBI - New Orleans Division |date=January 26, 2010 |access-date=October 21, 2016 |archive-date=October 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022152135/https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/neworleans/press-releases/2010/no012610.htm |url-status=live }} O'Keefe stated that he had entered Landrieu's office to investigate complaints that she was ignoring phone calls from constituents during the debate over President Barack Obama's health care bill.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/27/us/politics/27orleans.html |title=4 Charged in Incident at Office of Senator |author=Robertson, Campbell |date=March 26, 2010 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=October 3, 2010 |archive-date=March 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331123452/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/27/us/politics/27orleans.html |url-status=live }}

The charges in the case were reduced from a felony to a single misdemeanor count of entering a federal building under false pretenses.{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/0310/Minor_charges_filed_in_Landrieu_office_flap.html |title=Minor charges filed in Landrieu office flap |author=Gerstein, Josh |work=Politico |date=March 26, 2010 |access-date=October 3, 2010 |archive-date=March 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329132713/http://www.politico.com/blogs/joshgerstein/0310/Minor_charges_filed_in_Landrieu_office_flap.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2010/05/handling_of_mary_landrieu_offi.html |title=Handling of Mary Landrieu office caper case called very unusual |author=Russell, Gordon |newspaper=The Times-Picayune |date=May 20, 2010 |access-date=October 3, 2010 |archive-date=May 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523015650/http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2010/05/handling_of_mary_landrieu_offi.html |url-status=live }} O'Keefe and the others pleaded guilty on May 26. O'Keefe was sentenced to three years' probation, 100 hours of community service and a $1,500 fine. The three other men received lesser sentences.{{cite web |url=http://neworleans.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel10/no052610b.htm |title=Four Men Plead Guilty to Entering Federal Property Under FalsePretenses Entered Senator Mary Landrieu's Office to Secretly Record Office Staff Conversations |publisher=The FBI - New Orleans Division |date=May 26, 2010 |access-date=October 3, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531174024/http://neworleans.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel10/no052610b.htm |archive-date=May 31, 2010}} Another consequence is that O'Keefe is barred from soliciting donations from Florida residents, because of state law applicable to people found guilty of fraud.{{cite web |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/364087-florida-bars-okeefe-from-fundraising-in-the-state/ |title=Florida bars O'Keefe from fundraising in the state |last=Delk |first=Josh |date=December 9, 2017 |website=thehill.com |publisher=The Hill |access-date=May 26, 2021 |archive-date=May 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526223238/https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/364087-florida-bars-okeefe-from-fundraising-in-the-state |url-status=live }}

In August 2013, O'Keefe revisited the incident by releasing a video entitled: "a confrontation with former U.S. Attorney Jim Letten on the campus of Tulane University". Letten is a former Republican U.S. Attorney who recused himself from the Landrieu incident because he knew the father of one of the men involved. The video shows Letten accusing O'Keefe of "terrorizing" Letten's wife at their home, of harassing him, and trespassing on the Tulane campus. He called O'Keefe a "coward" and a "spud", and referred to O'Keefe and his companions as "hobbits" and "scum".{{cite web |title=Journalist provocateur James O'Keefe posts video of confrontation with Jim Letten |url=https://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/08/journalist_provocateur_james_o.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031035016/https://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/08/journalist_provocateur_james_o.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 31, 2013 |website=Nola.com |access-date=January 28, 2020 |date=August 26, 2013}}

On March 8, 2011, shortly before the US Congress was to vote on funding for National Public Radio (NPR), O'Keefe released a heavily edited video of a discussion with Ronald Schiller, NPR's senior vice president for fundraising, and associate Betsy Liley. Raw content was secretly recorded by O'Keefe's partners Ken Larrey and Shaughn Adeleye.{{cite web |work=Politico |publisher=Capitol News Company |location=Arlington, Virginia |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/onmedia/0311/NPR_exec_tea_party_is_scary_racist.html?showall |date=March 8, 2011 |title=NPR exec: Tea Party is 'scary', 'racist' |first=Keach |last=Hagey |access-date=March 9, 2011 |archive-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913193725/https://www.politico.com/blogs/onmedia/0311/NPR_exec_tea_party_is_scary_racist.html?showall |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Chafets |first1=Zev |title=Stinger: James O'Keefe's Greatest Hits |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/31/magazine/stinger-james-okeefes-greatest-hits.html |newspaper=The New York Times |location=New York City |access-date=January 28, 2020 |date=July 27, 2011 |archive-date=February 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225185722/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/31/magazine/stinger-james-okeefes-greatest-hits.html |url-status=live }}

NPR responded by stating that Schiller's remarks were presented out of sequence and that he said that he would speak personally, and not for NPR. Schiller said some highly placed Republicans believed the Republican Party had been hijacked by a radical group (the Tea Party) that they characterized as "Islamophobic" and "seriously racist, racist people", and while Schiller did not disagree, according to NPR, O'Keefe's editing made it appear those were Schiller's opinions. Schiller then says that unlike establishment Republicans, the growing Tea Party movement in the party "is fanatically involved in people's personal lives and very fundamental Christian — I wouldn't even call it Christian. It's this weird evangelical kind of move.{{sic}}"{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2011/03/14/134528545/npr-okeefe-inappropriately-edited-video-execs-words-still-egregious|title=O'Keefe 'Inappropriately Edited' Video; Exec's Words Still 'Egregious'|work=NPR|first=Mark|last=Memmott|date=March 14, 2011|access-date=June 19, 2018|archive-date=November 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112170045/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2011/03/14/134528545/npr-okeefe-inappropriately-edited-video-execs-words-still-egregious|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2011/03/14/134525412/Segments-Of-NPR-Gotcha-Video-Taken-Out-Of-Context|title=Elements Of NPR Gotcha Video Taken Out Of Context|work=NPR|first=David|last=Folkenflik|date=March 14, 2011|access-date=June 19, 2018|archive-date=June 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611181021/https://www.npr.org/2011/03/14/134525412/Segments-Of-NPR-Gotcha-Video-Taken-Out-Of-Context|url-status=live}}

Later in the edited video, Schiller seems to say he believes NPR "would be better off in the long run without federal funding", explaining that removal of federal funding would allow NPR more independence and remove the widely held misconception that NPR is significantly funded by the public. But on the raw tape, Schiller also said that withdrawing federal funding would cause local stations to go under and that NPR is doing "everything we can" to keep it.{{cite news |last=Moore |first=Martha T. |title=NPR sting raises questions about media ethics, influence |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-03-17-video17_ST_N.htm |newspaper=USA Today |publisher=Gannett |location=McLean, Virginia |date=March 17, 2010 |access-date=September 1, 2017 |archive-date=February 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229154848/http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-03-17-video17_ST_N.htm |url-status=live }}

In a statement released before analysis of the longer raw video, NPR said, "Schiller's comments are in direct conflict with NPR's official position ... The fraudulent organization represented in this video repeatedly pressed us to accept a $5 million check with no strings attached, which we repeatedly refused to accept."{{cite web |last=Lithwick |first=Dahlia |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/03/10/npr-publishes-e-mails-from-top-staff-stating-problems-with-muslim-group-s-donations.aspx |title=NPR Publishes E-Mails From Top Staff Stating Problems With "Muslim Group's" Offer of $5 Million |work=Slate |publisher=The Slate Group |location=San Francisco, California |date=March 10, 2011 |access-date=July 7, 2012 |archive-date=May 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518222504/http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/03/10/npr-publishes-e-mails-from-top-staff-stating-problems-with-muslim-group-s-donations.aspx |url-status=live }} After reviewing the unedited video, Scott Baker, editor-in-chief of TheBlaze, said the NPR executives "seem to be fairly balanced people."

Journalists Ben Smith, James Poniewozik, and Dave Weigel have expressed regret for giving O'Keefe's NPR videos wider circulation without scrutinizing them for themselves.

Comparison of the raw video with the released one revealed editing that was characterized as "selective" and "deceptive" by Michael Gerson, opinion writer for The Washington Post, who wrote, "O'Keefe did not merely leave a false impression; he manufactured an elaborate, alluring lie."{{cite news |last=Gerson |first=Michael |title=The NPR video and political dirty tricks |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-npr-video-and-political-dirty-tricks/2011/03/17/ABbyMym_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |publisher=Washington Post Company |location=Washington D.C. |date=March 24, 2011 |access-date=September 1, 2017 |archive-date=December 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221080938/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-npr-video-and-political-dirty-tricks/2011/03/17/ABbyMym_story.html |url-status=live }} Time magazine wrote that the video "transposed remarks from a different part of the meeting", was "manipulative" and "a partisan hit-job."{{cite magazine |last=Poniewozik |first=James |author-link=James Poniewozik |title=Hatchet Job: The Video Hit Piece that Made Both NPR and Its Critics Look Bad |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2059608,00.html |magazine=Time |publisher=Time, Inc. |location=New York City |date=March 17, 2011 |access-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116170713/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2059608,00.html |url-status=live }}

The raw video shows Schiller told the two men "that donors cannot expect to influence news coverage." On the longer tape, he says, "There is such a big firewall between funding and reporting: Reporters will not be swayed in any way, shape or form." Broadcast journalist Al Tompkins, who now teaches at the Poynter Institute, noted that Ron Schiller was a fundraiser, not an official affecting the newsroom. He commented on the raw tape: "The message that he said most often—I counted six times: He told these two people that he had never met before that you cannot buy coverage", Tompkins said. "He says it over and over and over again."

On March 17, Martha T. Moore of USA Today reported: "According to The Blaze analysis, Ron Schiller's most inflammatory remarks, that Tea Party members are 'seriously racist', were made as he was recounting the views of Republicans he has spoken with—although he does not appear to disagree. It also shows Schiller appearing to laugh about the potential spread of Islamic sharia law, when the longer version shows he laughed in reaction to something completely different."

Two days later, O'Keefe released a video in which Betsy Liley, senior director of institutional giving at NPR, appeared to have checked with senior management and said MEAC was cleared to make donations anonymously and NPR could help shield donations from government audits, but added that, in order to proceed, additional background information would be required, including an IRS Form 990. Liley advised the caller that NPR executives would investigate them before accepting any large donation, examining tax records and checking out other organizations that have received donations from them. Liley raises the possibility of NPR's turning down substantial gifts and stresses the "firewall" between the revenue-generating part of NPR and its news operation.{{cite news |title=Activist releases another recording with an NPR fundraising executive |publisher=CNN |date=March 11, 2011 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/11/npr.recording/index.html?hpt=Sbin |access-date=March 12, 2011 |archive-date=November 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110100513/http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/11/npr.recording/index.html?hpt=Sbin |url-status=live }} NPR put Liley on administrative leave. In emails released following the publication of the Liley video, NPR confirmed that the official had consulted appropriately with top management and notified the purported donors of problems with their desired method of donation.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/03/10/npr-publishes-e-mails-from-top-staff-stating-problems-with-muslim-group-s-donations.aspx|first=Dave|last=Weigel|author-link=Dave Weigel|title=NPR Publishes E-Mails From Top Staff Stating Problems With "Muslim Group's" Offer of $5 Million|magazine=Slate|publisher=The Slate Group|location=San Francisco, California|date=August 8, 2011|access-date=April 6, 2011|archive-date=May 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518222504/http://www.slate.com/blogs/blogs/weigel/archive/2011/03/10/npr-publishes-e-mails-from-top-staff-stating-problems-with-muslim-group-s-donations.aspx|url-status=live}}

The video, which was released directly before a congressional vote on funding, caused immediate reaction from NPR critics in Congress. Ronald Schiller, who had already submitted his resignation in January so that he could join the Aspen Institute, moved up his resignation after the video release when NPR put him on administrative leave. NPR CEO Vivian Schiller (no relation to Ronald Schiller), who had not been implicated in the Project Veritas video, quickly resigned.{{cite magazine|first=Chris|last=Good|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/03/what-james-okeefes-latest-video-means-for-npr-funding/72198/|title=What James O'Keefe's Latest Video Means for NPR Funding|magazine=The Atlantic|publisher=Emerson Collective|location=Boston, Massachusetts|date=March 2011|access-date=March 7, 2017|archive-date=July 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721192650/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/03/what-james-okeefes-latest-video-means-for-npr-funding/72198/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first=Catalina|last=Camia|date=March 8, 2011|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/03/tea-party-secret-video-npr-funding-/1|title=NPR executive calls Tea Party supporters 'racist'|newspaper=USA Today|publisher=Gannett|location=McLean, Virginia|access-date=February 24, 2015|archive-date=February 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201065319/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/03/tea-party-secret-video-npr-funding-/1|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Mark|last=Memmott|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/03/08/134358398/in-video-npr-exec-slams-tea-party-questions-need-for-federal-funds?ft=1&f=1001|title=In Video: NPR Exec Slams Tea Party, Questions Need For Federal Funds|work=NPR|date=March 8, 2011|access-date=June 19, 2018|archive-date=February 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201065322/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2011/03/09/134358398/in-video-npr-exec-slams-tea-party-questions-need-for-federal-funds?ft=1&f=1001|url-status=live}}{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Memmott |title=NPR CEO Vivian Schiller resigns |publisher=NPR.org |date=March 9, 2011 |access-date=March 9, 2011 |url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/03/09/134388981/npr-ceo-vivian-schiller-resigns |archive-date=March 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310062059/http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/03/09/134388981/npr-ceo-vivian-schiller-resigns |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Russell |last=Adams |title=NPR Executive Cedes New Role at Aspen Institute |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=Dow Jones & Company |location=New York City |date=March 9, 2011 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704132204576190563679921804 |access-date=February 24, 2015 |archive-date=January 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103092304/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704132204576190563679921804 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|first=Brian|last=Stelter|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/08/npr-executive-caught-calling-tea-partiers-racist|title=NPR Executive Caught Calling Tea Partiers 'Racist'|newspaper=The New York Times|location=New York City|date=March 8, 2011|access-date=March 8, 2011|archive-date=February 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201065359/https://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/08/npr-executive-caught-calling-tea-partiers-racist|url-status=live}} Vivian Schiller's resignation, mutually decided with the NPR board, was in part an attempt to show Congressional funders that NPR could hold itself accountable.{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-npr-resign-20110310,0,4587646.story | work=Los Angeles Times | first=James | last=Oliphant | title=NPR president's resignation fuels foes of public broadcasting funding | date=March 10, 2011 | access-date=January 30, 2022 | archive-date=June 29, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629004349/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-npr-resign-20110310,0,4587646.story | url-status=live }}

A month before the launch of Donald Trump's presidential campaign, the Trump Foundation donated $10,000 to O'Keefe's Project Veritas. O'Keefe attended, as a guest of the Trump campaign, the final presidential debate, and was later available in the spin room following the Las Vegas event.{{cite news|first=Michelle|last=Ye Hee Lee|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/10/21/trumps-claim-tying-violence-at-his-rallies-to-the-clinton-campaign/|title=Trump's claim tying violence at his rallies to the Clinton campaign|newspaper=The Washington Post|publisher=Nash Holdings|location=Washington, D.C.|date=October 21, 2016|quote=Further, the Trump Foundation gave $10,000 to Project Veritas in 2015. Just as Trump is skeptical of Rodriguez's motives because of her previous payment from the Clinton campaign, readers should also be wary of Trump touting a Project Veritas video that matches his campaign rhetoric.|access-date=October 27, 2016|archive-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227101938/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/10/21/trumps-claim-tying-violence-at-his-rallies-to-the-clinton-campaign/|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/james-okeefe-project-veritas-hillary-clinton-donald-duck-2016-10|title=Experts: Actions of Democratic operatives in latest undercover James O'Keefe video are likely not a violation of the law|magazine=Business Insider|publisher=Axel Springer|location=New York City|first=Allen|last=Smith|date=October 25, 2016|access-date=October 31, 2016|archive-date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402223159/https://www.businessinsider.com/james-okeefe-project-veritas-hillary-clinton-donald-duck-2016-10|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Matthew|last=Rozsa|url=http://www.salon.com/2016/10/21/donald-trump-foundation-paid-james-okeefe-10000-in-2015-report/|title=Donald Trump Foundation paid James O'Keefe $10,000 in 2015: report|work=Salon|publisher=Salon Media Group|location=San Francisco, California|date=October 21, 2016|access-date=October 31, 2016|archive-date=October 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026205153/http://www.salon.com/2016/10/21/donald-trump-foundation-paid-james-okeefe-10000-in-2015-report/|url-status=live}}

On November 8, 2016 (Election Day), O'Keefe spent some time following vans that were allegedly "bussing people around to polls in Philadelphia".{{cite news |last1=Gauthier |first1=Brendan |date=November 8, 2016 |title=James O'Keefe is spending Election Day following vans around Philadelphia |work=Salon |url=http://www.salon.com/2016/11/08/james-okeefe-is-spending-election-day-following-vans-around-philadelphia/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125092246/http://www.salon.com/2016/11/08/james-okeefe-is-spending-election-day-following-vans-around-philadelphia/ |archive-date=November 25, 2016}}

On January 9, 2017, Project Veritas operative Allison Maass was filmed attempting to bribe members of Americans Take Action into inciting a riot at Trump's inauguration.{{cite news |last1=Grim |first1=Ryan |date=January 9, 2017 |title=Counter-Sting Catches James O'Keefe Network Attempting To Sow Chaos At Trump's Inauguration |work=The Huffington Post |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/counter-sting-catches-james-okeefe-network-attempting-to-sow-chaos-at-trumps-inauguration_us_5873e26fe4b043ad97e516f7 |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116173846/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/counter-sting-catches-james-okeefe-network-attempting-to-sow-chaos-at-trumps-inauguration_us_5873e26fe4b043ad97e516f7 |archive-date=January 16, 2017}}{{cite web |last1=Palma |first1=Bethania |date=January 17, 2017 |title=James O'Keefe and Progressive Group 'Sting' Each Other |url=http://www.snopes.com/2017/01/18/dueling-stings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201065349/https://www.snopes.com/news/2017/01/18/dueling-stings/ |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=January 19, 2017 |publisher=snopes}} On January 16, 2017, Project Veritas uploaded a video showing DC Antifascist Coalition members of Disrupt J20 plotting to use "stink bombs" at the DeploraBall. After the video's release, Disrupt J20 denied the statements, saying that the members deliberately gave false information to Veritas.{{cite web |author=Bethania Palma |date=January 18, 2017 |title=Progressive Group Claims to 'Sting' Sting Video Maker James O'Keefe |url=http://www.snopes.com/2017/01/18/dueling-stings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201065349/https://www.snopes.com/news/2017/01/18/dueling-stings/ |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=January 19, 2017 |work=Snopes}} The video led to the arrest of one man allegedly involved in the plan,{{cite web |last=Hermann |first=Peter |date=January 25, 2017 |title=Meetings of activists planning to disrupt inauguration were infiltrated by conservative group |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/meetings-of-activists-planning-to-disrupt-inauguration-were-infiltrated-by-conservative-media-group/2017/01/24/b22128fe-e19a-11e6-ba11-63c4b4fb5a63_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331080756/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/meetings-of-activists-planning-to-disrupt-inauguration-were-infiltrated-by-conservative-media-group/2017/01/24/b22128fe-e19a-11e6-ba11-63c4b4fb5a63_story.html |archive-date=March 31, 2017 |access-date=February 16, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} as well as two associates. All three individuals pleaded guilty.{{cite news |last=Hermann |first=Peter |date=March 7, 2017 |title=Protester pleads guilty to conspiring to disrupt DeploraBall for Trump supporters |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/protester-pleads-guilty-to-conspiring-to-disrupt-deploraball-for-trump-supporters/2017/03/07/3f55f3da-0347-11e7-b1e9-a05d3c21f7cf_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309065926/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/protester-pleads-guilty-to-conspiring-to-disrupt-deploraball-for-trump-supporters/2017/03/07/3f55f3da-0347-11e7-b1e9-a05d3c21f7cf_story.html |archive-date=March 9, 2017}}

On October 18, 2016, O'Keefe released a series of videos on Project Veritas' YouTube channel titled "Rigging the Election" that apparently showed former national field director Scott Foval of Americans United for Change discussing ensuring that they have people at the front of the rope lines at rallies in order to ask questions, a common practice known as "bird dogging".{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/10/19/two-democratic-operatives-lose-jobs-after-james-okeefe-sting/ |title=Two Democratic operatives lose jobs after James O'Keefe sting |last=Weigel |first=David |date=October 19, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=December 21, 2019 |archive-date=February 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227102327/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/10/19/two-democratic-operatives-lose-jobs-after-james-okeefe-sting/ |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/10/james-okeefe-scott-foval-new-47-percent-story-false |title=James O'Keefe's New Story About the 47 Percent Video is Totally False |first=David |last=Corn |date=October 27, 2016 |magazine=Mother Jones |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530215023/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/10/james-okeefe-scott-foval-new-47-percent-story-false/ |archive-date=May 30, 2020}} The accuracy of the videos has been questioned for possibly omitting context, and the unedited raw footage has not been made available.{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/10/19/498587397/sting-video-purports-to-show-democrats-describing-how-to-commit-voter-fraud |title=Sting Video Purports To Show Democrats Describing How To Commit Voter Fraud |last=Detrow |first=Scott |date=October 19, 2016 |website=NPR |access-date=November 28, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201104849/https://www.npr.org/2016/10/19/498587397/sting-video-purports-to-show-democrats-describing-how-to-commit-voter-fraud |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/conservative-activist-james-okeefe-exposes-democratic-foul-play-in-video |title=Conservative activist James O'Keefe exposes possible Democratic foul play in video |date=October 19, 2016 |access-date=October 20, 2016 |website=CBS |archive-date=October 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021001423/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/conservative-activist-james-okeefe-exposes-democratic-foul-play-in-video/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/21/us/politics/video-dnc-trump-rallies.html?_r=1 |title=Videos Put Democrats on Defensive About Dirty Tricks |first1=Steve |last1=Eder |first2=Jonathan |last2=Martin |date=October 20, 2016 |newspaper=The New York Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717150122/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/21/us/politics/video-dnc-trump-rallies.html?_r=1 |archive-date=July 17, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Raymond |first1=Adam K. |title=James O'Keefe's Latest Videos Cost Two Dem Operatives Their Jobs |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2016/10/james-okeefes-latest-costs-two-dem-operatives-their-jobs.html |website=New York |access-date=January 28, 2021 |language=en-us |date=October 19, 2016 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125064737/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2016/10/james-okeefes-latest-costs-two-dem-operatives-their-jobs.html |url-status=live}} The Republican Attorney General of Wisconsin, Brad Schimel, investigated the claims made in the video twice, both times finding no evidence that Foval broke any voting laws.{{cite web|first1=Patrick|last1=Marley|access-date=December 12, 2021|title=Attorney General Brad Schimel concludes for the second time Project Veritas videos show no voter fraud by Dem activist|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/05/14/attorney-general-brad-schimel-concludes-second-time-controversial-video-shows-no-voter-fraud-dem-act/607073002/|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|archive-date=December 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212052728/https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/05/14/attorney-general-brad-schimel-concludes-second-time-controversial-video-shows-no-voter-fraud-dem-act/607073002/|url-status=live}}

Scott Foval was fired by Americans United for Change after the first video was released.{{cite news |last1=Diaz |first1=Daniella |last2=Griffin |first2=Drew |title=Dem operative 'stepping back' after video suggests group incited violence at Trump rallies |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/18/politics/project-veritas-action-robert-creamer-donald-trump-rallies |access-date=October 19, 2016 |work=CNN |publisher=Turner Broadcasting Systems |location=New York City |date=October 18, 2016 |archive-date=October 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019145742/http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/18/politics/project-veritas-action-robert-creamer-donald-trump-rallies/ |url-status=live }} Foval later said he had been set up.{{cite news |last1=Gauthier |first1=Brendan |title=James O'Keefe releases another Project Veritas video claiming Hillary Clinton campaign is "bird dogging" |url=http://www.salon.com/2016/10/18/james-okeefe-releases-another-project-veritas-video-claiming-hillary-clinton-campaign-is-bird-dogging |access-date=October 18, 2016 |work=Salon |publisher=Salon Media Group |location=San Francisco, California |date=October 18, 2016 |archive-date=October 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019075832/http://www.salon.com/2016/10/18/james-okeefe-releases-another-project-veritas-video-claiming-hillary-clinton-campaign-is-bird-dogging/ |url-status=live }} Robert Creamer, a DNC consultant and husband of U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky, D-IL, said, "We regret the unprofessional and careless hypothetical conversations that were captured on hidden cameras of a regional contractor for our firm, and he is no longer working with us," he said. "While none of the schemes described in the conversations ever took place, these conversations do not at all reflect the values of Democracy Partners." Shortly afterwards, Creamer, who was also featured in the video, said he would end his consulting arrangement with the DNC to avoid becoming a "distraction".

Following the publication of his videos, O'Keefe filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton and the DNC, alleging "a criminal conspiracy" involving the Clinton campaign, the DNC and three left-leaning super PACs.{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Hensch|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/302178-okeefe-files-fec-complaint-against-clinton-camp-dnc/|title=O'Keefe files FEC complaint against Clinton camp, DNC|newspaper=The Hill|publisher=Capitol Publishing|location=Washington D.C.|date=October 21, 2016|access-date=October 24, 2016|archive-date=October 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013174356/https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/302178-okeefe-files-fec-complaint-against-clinton-camp-dnc|url-status=live}} On June 1, 2017, Creamer's firm, Democracy Partners, filed a $1 million lawsuit against Project Veritas, claiming Project Veritas had lied to gain access to the firm and violating anti-wiretapping laws.{{cite magazine |last=Elliott |first=Philip |url=https://time.com/4801721/james-okeefe-lawsuit-democracy-partners/ |title=James O'Keefe's Targets Sue Undercover Filmmaker for $1 Million |date=June 1, 2017 |magazine=Time |publisher=Time, Inc. |location=New York City |access-date=June 4, 2017 |archive-date=June 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604040444/http://time.com/4801721/james-okeefe-lawsuit-democracy-partners/ |url-status=live }}

In response to a third video, in which O'Keefe stated that Clinton was behind an illegal public relations gimmick to punish Trump for not releasing his tax returns, the Clinton campaign denied any wrongdoing. Independent campaign finance experts posited the video doesn't support O'Keefe's claims. Clinton said she was aware of the activists dressed as Donald Duck, who were following Trump while asking about his tax returns, and said she was amused.{{cite magazine |last1=Frizell |first1=Sam |title=Hillary Clinton Knew About Donald Duck Stunt But Never Broke Law, Campaign Says |url=https://time.com/4545543/hillary-clinton-donald-duck-trump-veritas/ |access-date=October 27, 2016 |magazine=Time |publisher=Time, Inc. |location=New York City |date=October 26, 2016 |archive-date=October 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027142032/http://time.com/4545543/hillary-clinton-donald-duck-trump-veritas/ |url-status=live }}

On October 26, 2016, O'Keefe posted a fourth video on his Project Veritas Action YouTube channel. The video alleged that liberal groups supporting Hillary Clinton were illegally taking foreign money. The targeted group, Americans United for Change foundation, is a 501(c)4 organization and is allowed to legally accept foreign contributions. However, AUC returned the money shortly after the video was released. The group's chief stated, "We returned the money because the last thing we want to be associated with is a character like O'Keefe who has been convicted and successfully sued for his illegal tactics and fraudulent activities."{{cite magazine |last1=Elliott |first1=Philip |title=Latest Clinton Sting Doesn't Live Up to Its Hype |url=https://time.com/4547193/hillary-clinton-foreign-money/ |access-date=October 31, 2016 |magazine=Time |publisher=Time, Inc. |location=New York City |date=October 27, 2016 |archive-date=October 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030004248/http://time.com/4547193/hillary-clinton-foreign-money/ |url-status=live }}

In 2019, a federal judge dismissed a slander lawsuit involving the Foval videos, ruling that the videos taken of Scott Foval over several months showed that there was not a preconceived story line and that the videos were protected by the First Amendment.{{Cite web |last=Burgess |first=Joel |title=Asheville Trump rally libel suit tossed: First Amendment protects Veritas video, judge says |url=https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2019/05/22/asheville-trump-rally-suit-tossed-judge-rules-veritas-video-protected/3766243002/ |access-date=July 25, 2022 |website=The Asheville Citizen Times |language=en-US}}

In August 2010, O'Keefe planned a staged encounter with CNN correspondent Abbie Boudreau, who was working on a documentary on the young conservative movement. He set up an appointment at his office in Maryland to discuss a video shoot.{{cite news |publisher=CNN |first=Scott |last=Zamost |title=Fake pimp from ACORN videos tries to 'punk' CNN correspondent |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/09/29/okeefe.cnn.prank/index.html |date=September 29, 2010 |access-date=September 30, 2010 |archive-date=September 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100930040138/http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/09/29/okeefe.cnn.prank/index.html |url-status=live }} Izzy Santa, executive director of Project Veritas, warned Boudreau that O'Keefe was planning to "punk" her on the boat by trying to seduce her—which he would film on hidden cameras. Boudreau did not board the boat and soon left the area.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/acorn-foe-james-okeefe-sought-to-embarrass-cnns-abbie-boudreau-on-porn-strewn-palace-of-pleasure-boat/ |title=ACORN Foe James O'Keefe Sought to Embarrass CNN's Abbie Boudreau on Porn-Strewn "Palace of Pleasure" Boat |first=Brian |last=Montopoli |work=CBS News |date=September 29, 2010 |access-date=October 2, 2010 |archive-date=October 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001192423/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20018030-503544.html |url-status=live }}

CNN later published a 13-page plan written by O'Keefe mentor Ben Wetmore.{{cite news |url=http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/04/james_okeefe_sex_boat_post/index.html |title=James O'Keefe defends "sex boat" prank by saying it wouldn't have been that gross |author=Pareene, Alex |work=Salon |date=October 4, 2010 |access-date=October 5, 2010 |archive-date=October 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006002213/http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/04/james_okeefe_sex_boat_post/index.html |url-status=live }} It listed props for the boat scheme, including pornography, sexual aids, condoms, a blindfold and "fuzzy" handcuffs.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2010/09/specials/cnn.caper/index.html |title=Punking' CNN: The following highlights the relevant portions of a 13-page document obtained by CNN outlining a plan to 'punk' CNN |publisher=CNN |date=September 29, 2010 |access-date=October 3, 2010 |archive-date=October 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101002055508/http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2010/09/specials/cnn.caper/index.html |url-status=live }} When questioned by CNN, O'Keefe denied he was going to follow the Wetmore plan, as he found parts of it inappropriate. Boudreau commented "that does not appear to be true, according to a series of emails we obtained from Izzy Santa, who says the e-mails reveal James' true intentions."{{cite news |url=http://siu.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/29/our-documentary-takes-a-strange-detour |title=Our Documentary Takes A Strange Detour |author=Boudreau, Abbie |publisher=CNN |date=September 29, 2010 |access-date=October 3, 2010 |archive-date=October 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101003123858/http://siu.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/29/our-documentary-takes-a-strange-detour/ |url-status=dead }}

Following the Boudreau incident, Project Veritas paid Izzy Santa a five-figure settlement after she threatened to sue, which included a non-disclosure agreement.[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68628_Page3.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915130317/https://www.politico.com/news/stories/1111/68628_Page3.html|date=September 15, 2020}} Kenneth P. Vogel, "James O'Keefe's plans derailed by infighting, lack of funding", Politico, November 17, 2011; accessed December 24, 2011. Funding decreased from conservative political organizations following this CNN incident.

Starting October 25, 2010, O'Keefe posted a series of videos on the Internet entitled Teachers Unions Gone Wild. At the time, the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) was in negotiations with Chris Christie, the New Jersey governor, over teacher pay benefits and tenure.{{cite news |url=http://www.nj.com/sunbeam/index.ssf?/base/news-7/128816581231050.xml&coll=9 |title=Video puts NJEA in hot seat |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |author=Rundquist, Jeanette and Megan DeMarco |date=October 27, 2010 |access-date=October 28, 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018131042/http://www.nj.com/sunbeam/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews-7%2F128816581231050.xml&coll=9 |url-status=live }} O'Keefe obtained one video from recordings made by "citizen journalists", whom he recruited to attend the NJEA's leadership conference. They secretly recorded meetings and conversations with teacher participants. It featured teachers discussing the difficulty of firing a tenured teacher.

A second video featured a staged phone conversation by O'Keefe with Lawrence E. Everett, assistant superintendent of the Passaic, New Jersey city schools, in which Everett refused to commit to firing a teacher based upon the purported claim by a parent that the teacher had used the "n-word" with his child.{{cite news |url=http://www.app.com/article/C0/20101026/COMMUNITIES/310260012/James-O-Keefe-targets-NJEA-with-undercover-gone-wild-video |title=Teacher's Union Gone Wild: James O'Keefe digs into NJEA with new 'undercover' video |newspaper=Asbury Park Press |first=Jason |last=Method |date=October 26, 2010 |access-date=October 28, 2010}} The third video (October 26, 2010) featured audio of a voice, identified as NJEA Associate Director Wayne Dibofsky, who alleged voter fraud during the 1997 Jersey City mayoral election. The voice of Robert Byrne, Jersey City municipal clerk, was recorded on the same video; he noted that the election was monitored by lawyers for both candidates.

New Jersey's Republican Governor Chris Christie stated at the time that nothing on the videos surprised him.[http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/10/christie_njea_video_james_okee.html "Hidden video by conservative activist James O'Keefe renews NJEA, Gov. Christie dispute"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128161908/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/10/christie_njea_video_james_okee.html |date=November 28, 2017 }}, nj.com; accessed February 24, 2015. NJEA spokesman Steve Wollmer said the union and its attorneys were discussing their options regarding possible legal action, although no action was ever taken. Wollmer called the videos "a calculated attack on this organization and its members", and described O'Keefe as "flat-out sleazy".

In the summer of 2011, O'Keefe released videos of his colleagues' staged encounters purportedly showing Medicaid fraud in offices in six states, including Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia. Following his previous strategy, he sent the releases to conservative outlets over a period of weeks. In July 2011, two conservative groups released a secretly recorded video of an encounter in Maine's Department of Health and Human Services.

In the video, an actor attempted to apply for benefits while hinting that he was a drug smuggler. Americans for Prosperity and O'Keefe said he had similar recorded videos from offices in Ohio, Virginia and South Carolina, and believed that there was a systemic problem. In Maine, Governor Paul LePage concluded upon further examination of the videos that there was no fraud or intent to commit fraud.Rebekah Metzler,[http://www.pressherald.com/news/sting-video-stirs-fraud-debate-_2011-08-12.html "'Sting' Video Stirs Fraud Debate"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213024645/http://www.pressherald.com/news/sting-video-stirs-fraud-debate-_2011-08-12.html |date=December 13, 2013 }}, Portland Press Herald, August 12, 2011; accessed September 15, 2011.Ken Christian. [http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article/168859/2/Some-say-undercover-video-hints-at-welfare-fraud "Undercover video hints at potential for welfare fraud"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130209035638/http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article/168859/2/Some-say-undercover-video-hints-at-welfare-fraud |date=February 9, 2013 }}, wcsh6.com, August 11, 2011.
Quote by Gov. Paul LePage regarding the video: "The video in its entirety does not show a person willfully helping someone defraud the welfare system."

A similar O'Keefe video posted on the Project Veritas web site purported to show workers at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services assisting actors posing as drug dealers in applying for benefits. His fourth Medicaid video, apparently filmed in Richmond, Virginia, was released in July 2011.{{cite web |title=Video: Medicaid Sting Hits Virginia Capital City – Medicaid Part IV |url=http://www.theprojectveritas.com/medicaidiv |publisher=Project Veritas |access-date=May 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530043907/http://www.theprojectveritas.com/medicaidiv |archive-date=May 30, 2013 |url-status=dead}} The New York Times reported: "[As 'Sean Murphy'], dressed in the same regalia he wore on the New Jersey shoot, [O'Keefe] presented himself to a Medicaid worker in Charleston, South Carolina, as an Irish drug importer and Irish Republican Army member who wanted coverage for 25 wounded comrades who entered the U.S. illegally. The kindly worker spent time photocopying applications and dealing with this improbable applicant." She explained to him that only U.S. citizens are eligible for Medicaid and informed him she was not making any promises that the 25 purported IRA members would qualify. She said he had to abide by the law and told him that she didn't want to know details, because federal law protects patient privacy: "Like I said, someone would have to come here and subpoena our information in order for us to divulge any information, because like I said there's something called the Health Insurance Accountability and Affordability Act—or portability—and anyway it went into effect several years ago, and that's what we follow. It is federal law, and they do threaten high fines—which they don't pay me as much per year as they threaten to fine me—so it is definitely not in my own best interest to divulge anything to anyone because I cannot afford it, I do not want to go to jail."Ryan J. Reilly, [http://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/james-o-keefe-s-latest-terrorist-medicaid-sting-goes-after-woman-for-following-law James O'Keefe's Latest 'Terrorist' Medicaid Sting Goes After Woman For Following Law] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402235004/https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/james-o-keefe-s-latest-terrorist-medicaid-sting-goes-after-woman-for-following-law |date=April 2, 2019 }}, talkingpointsmemo.com, July 20, 2011.

The videos received less media attention than earlier O'Keefe efforts. Generally, the state officials and representatives acknowledged potential problems but also took a measured tone in response, to allow time to fully investigate and evaluate the incidents. After viewing the video, Governor LePage thanked the individual who took the video and noted: "The video in its entirety does not show a person willfully helping someone de-fraud the welfare system. It does show a need for further job knowledge and continuous and improved staff training." He also stated that "we would be six months further along in fixing the problem" if he had received the video when it was filmed. LePage directed his agency director to work on correcting the problem.

Ohio media initially reported that "a Franklin County Jobs and Family Service worker was placed on administrative leave and at least one other person was out of work" as a result of the video's release. Ben Johnson of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services noted that benefits were never granted in the case, and that the made-up story would have been caught if the application process had proceeded. He said his office would use the video to strengthen staff training. Mike DeWine, Attorney General of Ohio, described the Ohio video as "outrageous" and intended to instruct his state's Medicaid fraud unit to look into the incident.{{cite web |url=http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2011/07/19/story-columbus-medicaid-fraud.html |title=Ohio's Medicaid Investigated After Undercover Video Released Online | WBNS-10TV Columbus, Ohio | Columbus News, Weather & Sports |work=10tv.com |date=July 20, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-date=March 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314114910/http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/2011/07/19/story-columbus-medicaid-fraud.html |url-status=live }}Johnson quote: "Assuming (the video is) accurate, it's unacceptable ... The video is incredibly troubling. I'm less concerned with the filmmakers and what their motivations might have been, and more concerned with making sure we're spending taxpayer money appropriately, that we're rooting out fraud, wherever it is, and that we're running a clean program. The end result of this is we're going to take this video and we're going to use it as a training video." The director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Michael Colbert, notified county leaders of a mandatory retraining, "to ensure they can identify people trying to defraud the government".{{cite news |last=Pyle |first=Encarnacion |title=Embarrassing video sting spurs worker training |url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/07/21/embarrassing-videostingspurs-worker-training.html |access-date=May 29, 2013 |newspaper=Columbus Dispatch |date=July 21, 2011 |archive-date=December 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212100637/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/07/21/embarrassing-videostingspurs-worker-training.html |url-status=live }} Upon investigation by state officials, the Medicaid worker who coached O'Keefe's operative seeking Medicaid for his father and claimed to own a yacht as well as a helipad, on how to hide their (also claimed) ownership of an $800,000 automobile had been placed on paid administrative leave.Chafets, Zev. [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/31/magazine/stinger-james-okeefes-greatest-hits.html?pagewanted=all "Stinger: James O'Keefe's Greatest Hits"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200719175845/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/31/magazine/stinger-james-okeefes-greatest-hits.html?pagewanted=all |date=July 19, 2020 }}, The New York Times, July 27, 2011; accessed August 3, 2011. "O'Keefe grew up in Westwood, N.J., and still lives with his parents."{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=Bob |title=Va AG probing Richmond Medicaid fraud sting video |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jul/21/va-ag-probing-richmond-medicaid-fraud-sting-video |access-date=May 29, 2013 |newspaper=Associated Press |date=July 21, 2011 |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219120455/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jul/21/va-ag-probing-richmond-medicaid-fraud-sting-video/ |url-status=live }} A spokesman for Virginia governor Bob McDonnell said that he had asked state police to review the video and take whatever actions are appropriate.{{cite news |last=Meola |first=Olympia |title=McDonnell seeks review of Richmond Medicaid office video |url=http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2011/jul/22/mcdonnell-asks-state-police-to-review-richmond-med-ar-1190062 |access-date=February 6, 2014 |newspaper=Richmond Times-Dispatch |date=July 22, 2011}} {{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}

In Charleston, South Carolina, the director of that state's Department of Health and Human Services, Anthony Kreck, said the video filmed in his state "raises concerns about how well trained and supported our staff are to handle outrageous situations." He also expressed concern for the safety of the state employee with the figure ["Sean Murphy"] in the video "who could be interpreted as intimidating" and questioned why security wasn't called.{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Bruce |title=S.C. investigates after conservative group posts Medicaid video |url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/07/20/sc-investigation-medicaid-video.html |access-date=May 29, 2013 |newspaper=Columbus Dispatch |date=July 20, 2011 |archive-date=December 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212101302/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/07/20/sc-investigation-medicaid-video.html |url-status=live }}

In January 2012, O'Keefe released a video of associates obtaining a number of ballots for the New Hampshire Primary by using the names of recently deceased voters. He stated that the video showed "the integrity of the elections process is severely comprised {{sic}}." His team culled names from published obituaries, which were checked against public voter roll information. O'Keefe said his team broke no laws, as they did not pretend to be the deceased persons when they asked for the ballots, and they did not cast votes after receiving ballots. One of his associates' attempts was caught by a voting supervisor at the polling station who recognized that the name he gave was of a deceased individual; the associate in question left before police arrived.[http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view/20220110fraudulent_voter_stopped_in_nh "Fraudulent voter stopped in New Hampshire"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513045401/http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view/20220110fraudulent_voter_stopped_in_nh |date=May 13, 2012 }}, Boston Herald, January 11, 2012.

Sarah Parnass of ABC News reported that the video "either exposes why voting laws are too lax or comes close to itself being voter fraud (or both)". One media account referred to it as a stunt. New Hampshire Governor John Lynch said, "I think it is outrageous that we have out-of-staters coming into New Hampshire, coming into our polling places and misrepresenting themselves to the election officials, and I hope that they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, if in fact they're found guilty of some criminal act." The New Hampshire Attorney General and the US Attorney's Office announced investigations into the video.[http://www.wmur.com/politics/30200166/detail.html "Group Says It Got Primary Ballots With Dead People's Names; Governor Says Group's Actions Should Be Investigated"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304170456/http://www.wmur.com/politics/30200166/detail.html |date=March 4, 2012 }}, WMUR.com, January 12, 2012.

New Hampshire Associate Attorney General Richard Head said he would investigate the possible weaknesses in the voting system,[http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/304496/hidden-video-said-to-show-voter-fraud?page=0,0&CSAuthResp=1326416242%3Ah5bbjct77pm4c483vhffsif8a5%3ACSUserId|CSGroupId%3Aapproved%3AA23F19459430CA4BC58C62782903EFBC&CSUserId=94&CSGroupId=1 "Hidden Video Said to Show Voter Fraud"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203807/http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/304496/hidden-video-said-to-show-voter-fraud?page=0,0&CSAuthResp=1326416242:h5bbjct77pm4c483vhffsif8a5:CSUserId%7CCSGroupId:approved:A23F19459430CA4BC58C62782903EFBC&CSUserId=94&CSGroupId=1 |date=March 3, 2016 }}, Concord Monitor; accessed July 15, 2015. but noted the state did not have a history of known fraud related to person[s] seeking ballot[s] in the name of a dead person or persons.{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/01/james-okeefe-video-purports-to-show-ease-of-voter-fraud-in-n-h-primary |title=James O'Keefe Video Purports to Show Ease of Voter Fraud in N.H. Primary |work=ABC News |date=January 12, 2012 |access-date=January 13, 2012 |author=Parnass, Sarah |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201065348/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/01/james-okeefe-video-purports-to-show-ease-of-voter-fraud-in-n-h-primary |url-status=live }} Head announced he would investigate the possibility that the filmmakers committed crimes while producing the videos.

Hamline University law professor David Schultz said, "If they [O'Keefe's group] were intentionally going in and trying to fraudulently obtain a ballot, they violated the law", referring to Title 42, which prohibits procuring ballots fraudulently.{{cite news |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/law/2012/01/12/might-conservative-activists-face-criminal-charges-for-voter-id-stunt |title=Might Conservative Activists Face Criminal Charges for Voter ID Stunt? |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=January 12, 2012 |access-date=January 13, 2012 |author=Favate, Sam |archive-date=January 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115033646/http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2012/01/12/might-conservative-activists-face-criminal-charges-for-voter-id-stunt/ |url-status=live }} The New Hampshire Attorney General's office later dropped its investigation of O'Keefe for potential voter fraud in 2013.{{cite news |url=http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130716/NEWS06/130719427 |title=NH AG quietly dropped probe of conservative activist James O'Keefe after election |newspaper=New Hampshire Union Leader |date=July 16, 2013 |access-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222161928/http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130716/NEWS06/130719427 |url-status=live}}

On October 24, 2012, a video was released showing Patrick Moran, son of then-U.S. Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA), and a field director with his father's campaign, discussing a plan to cast fraudulent ballots, which was proposed to him by someone who posed as a fervent supporter of the campaign.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20076304 |work=BBC News |title=US politician's son resigns over 'voter fraud' video |date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=June 21, 2018 |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617222522/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20076304 |url-status=live }} The person he was speaking with was a conservative activist with O'Keefe's Project Veritas, and was secretly recording the conversation.{{Citation |last=Haines |first=Errin |title=Moran's son resigns from campaign amid video furor |newspaper=Washington Post |date=October 24, 2012 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/jim-morans-son-resigns-campaign-amid-video-furor/2012/10/24/95ea4a56-1e23-11e2-b647-bb1668e64058_story.html |access-date=February 2, 2013 |archive-date=November 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123205511/http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/jim-morans-son-resigns-campaign-amid-video-furor/2012/10/24/95ea4a56-1e23-11e2-b647-bb1668e64058_story.html |url-status=live }} Patrick Moran resigned from the campaign, saying he did not want to be a distraction during the election, stating:

[A]t no point have I, or will I ever endorse any sort of illegal or unethical behavior. At no point did I take this person seriously. He struck me as being unstable and joking, and for only that reason did I humor him. In hindsight, I should have immediately walked away, making it clear that there is no place in the electoral process for even the suggestion of illegal behavior, joking or not.

The Arlington County, Virginia Police Department was made aware of the video and opened a criminal investigation into "every component" of the matter.[https://archive.today/20130104103645/http://www.arlington-va.patch.com/articles/arlington-police-launch-criminal-investigation-into-congressman-s-son?ncid=newsltuspatc00000003%23youtube_video-11887030 Arlington Police Looking Into 'Every Component' of Moran Video], arlington-va.patch.com, October 25, 2012.

On January 31, 2013, Arlington County announced that the investigation, by its police department in collaboration with the Offices of the Virginia Attorney General and the Arlington County Commonwealth's Attorney, had concluded and that no charges would be brought. The County stated: "Patrick Moran and the Jim Moran for Congress campaign provided full cooperation throughout the investigation. Despite repeated attempts to involve the party responsible for producing the video, they failed to provide any assistance."{{cite web |title=Update: Police Investigation of Election Offense Allegations Concludes |publisher=Arlington County, Virginia |date=January 31, 2013 |url=http://news.arlingtonva.us/update:-police-investigation-of-election-offense-allegations-concludes |access-date=February 2, 2012 |archive-date=February 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204114343/http://news.arlingtonva.us/update:-police-investigation-of-election-offense-allegations-concludes |url-status=live }}

In August 2014, O'Keefe dressed up as Osama bin Laden (who had died 3 years previously) and crossed the US–Mexico border in Texas in both directions to "show that our elected officials were lying to the American people" about border security. The incident was cited by U.S. Senator John McCain in Congressional hearings.{{cite news |last=Markon |first=Jerry |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/federal-eye/wp/2015/08/13/conservative-video-maker-james-okeefe-homeland-security-targeted-me-asked-intrusive-questions |title=Conservative video-maker James O'Keefe: Homeland Security targeted me, asked intrusive questions |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 1, 1970 |access-date=October 26, 2016 |archive-date=October 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020104817/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/federal-eye/wp/2015/08/13/conservative-video-maker-james-okeefe-homeland-security-targeted-me-asked-intrusive-questions/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author=Joan Walsh |url=http://www.salon.com/2014/09/16/new_fox_news_paranoia_isis_at_the_border |title=New Fox News paranoia: ISIS at the border! |work=Salon |date=September 16, 2014 |access-date=October 26, 2016 |archive-date=October 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020043054/http://www.salon.com/2014/09/16/new_fox_news_paranoia_isis_at_the_border/ |url-status=live }}

In October 2014 in Colorado, O'Keefe and collaborators from Project Veritas in disguise, approached numerous Democratic campaigns and political organizations in Colorado to mishandle or fraudulently cast mail-in ballots. A 2013 state law had mandated that all voters receive mail-in ballots. A number of targeted individuals resisted the bait, some of them having identified the imposters. Staffers from progressive organization New Era Colorado began photographing O'Keefe's group and later claimed to have contacted police. PV video shows a few individuals agreeing with the illegal activities and offering suggestions. No evidence of illegal activity was shown.{{Cite news |first=John |last=Murrray |date=October 22, 2014 |title=Video activist James O'Keefe targets Colorado's new mail voting law, Democratic groups |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2014/10/22/video-activist-james-okeefe-targets-colorados-new-mail-voting-law-democratic-groups/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220719202405/https://www.denverpost.com/2014/10/22/video-activist-james-okeefe-targets-colorados-new-mail-voting-law-democratic-groups/ |archive-date=July 19, 2022 |access-date=July 19, 2022 |newspaper=Denver Post |url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |last=Kroll |first=Andy |date=October 20, 2014 |title=Colorado Dems: We caught James O'Keefe and his friends trying to bait us into condoning voter fraud |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/10/colorado-dems-james-okeefe/ |access-date=July 19, 2022 |magazine=Mother Jones |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029041554/https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/10/colorado-dems-james-okeefe/ |archive-date=October 29, 2019|language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Cheek |first=Tessa |date=October 23, 2014 |title=O'Keefe uncovers hypothetical support for hypothetical voter fraud |url=https://www.coloradoindependent.com/2014/10/23/okeefe-uncovers-hypothetical-support-for-hypothetical-voter-fraud/ |access-date=July 21, 2022 |work=The Colorado Independent |language=en-US}}

On March 16, 2016, O'Keefe attempted to call Open Society Foundations under the assumed name of "Victor Kesh", describing himself as attached to "a, uh, foundation"{{sic}} seeking to "get involved with you and aid what you do in fighting for, um, European values."{{sic}} O'Keefe forgot to hang up after recording the voicemail, and several more minutes of audio were recorded, revealing that he was attached to Discover the Networks and planning a series of attempts to create embarrassing videos or other recordings of targeted groups.{{cite magazine |last1=Mayer |first1=Jane |title=Transcript of James O'Keefe's Call to the Open Society Foundations |url=http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-transcript-of-james-okeefes-call-to-the-open-society-foundations |access-date=May 27, 2016 |magazine=The New Yorker |archive-date=May 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526005812/http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-transcript-of-james-okeefes-call-to-the-open-society-foundations |url-status=live }}

On June 26, 2017, O'Keefe released a video on the YouTube channel of Project Veritas that showed John Bonifield, a producer of health and medical stories for CNN, saying CNN's coverage of the Russia investigation was "Because it's ratings" and that the coverage was "mostly bullshit".{{cite news |title=American Pravda: 'Project Veritas' Catches CNN Producer Admitting Russia Story Is "Mostly Bullshit," "About Ratings" |url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/06/27/american_pravda_project_veritas_catches_cnn_producer_admitting_russia_story_is_bullshit_about_ratings.html |agency=RealClear Politics |date=June 27, 2017 |access-date=June 29, 2017 |archive-date=January 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107130901/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/06/27/american_pravda_project_veritas_catches_cnn_producer_admitting_russia_story_is_bullshit_about_ratings.html |url-status=live }} The video identified Bonifield as a supervising producer for CNN but not specifically for CNN Health.{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/what-you-dont-see-in-okeefe-video-may-be-as-important-as-what-you-do/2017/06/28/dcb67446-5b7c-11e7-a9f6-7c3296387341_story.html |title=What the latest James O'Keefe video leaves out |first=Paul |last=Farhi |date=June 28, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 21, 2017 |archive-date=July 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720151616/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/what-you-dont-see-in-okeefe-video-may-be-as-important-as-what-you-do/2017/06/28/dcb67446-5b7c-11e7-a9f6-7c3296387341_story.html |url-status=live }} CNN said it was standing by "our medical producer John Bonifield. Diversity of personal opinion is what makes CNN strong".{{cite news |title=CNN shrugs off Veritas video as Trump lashes out at network |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/06/27/cnn-shrugs-off-veritas-video-trump-lashes-out-network/432423001/ |work=USA Today |date=June 27, 2017 |access-date=June 28, 2017 |archive-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214101811/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/06/27/cnn-shrugs-off-veritas-video-trump-lashes-out-network/432423001/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Sarah Huckabee Sanders tells 'everybody across the country' to watch video of CNN producer calling Russia coverage 'bull----' |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/sarah-huckabee-sanders-video-cnn-health-producer-russia-coverage-bullshit-2017-6 |work=Business Insider |date=June 27, 2017 |access-date=June 28, 2017 |archive-date=February 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215003542/https://www.businessinsider.com/sarah-huckabee-sanders-video-cnn-health-producer-russia-coverage-bullshit-2017-6 |url-status=live }} During a White House press briefing, deputy White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said of the video "whether it's accurate or not, I don't know, but I would encourage everybody{{nbsp}}... across the country to take a look at it".

On June 28, 2017, O'Keefe released the second part of the series of undercover videos, by then dubbed "American Pravda". In the video, CNN anchor Van Jones said, "The Russia thing is just a big nothingburger."{{cite news |title=O'Keefe video shows CNN's Van Jones calling Russia story a 'nothingburger' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/339867-okeefe-video-shows-cnns-van-jones-calling-russia-story-a-nothingburger/ |work=The Hill |date=June 28, 2017 |access-date=June 28, 2017 |archive-date=March 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313210819/https://thehill.com/homenews/media/339867-okeefe-video-shows-cnns-van-jones-calling-russia-story-a-nothingburger |url-status=live }} When asked about the video in an email, CNN responded "lol".{{cite news |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/cnn-van-jones-project-veritas-james-okeefe-2017-6 |title=CNN issues pithy one-word response to undercover video sting attempting to embarrass Van Jones |date=June 28, 2017 |work=International Business Times |last1=Tani |first1=Maxwell |access-date=June 28, 2017 |archive-date=June 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628234156/http://www.businessinsider.com/cnn-van-jones-project-veritas-james-okeefe-2017-6 |url-status=live }} During that same day, the videos were posted on Donald Trump's Instagram account.{{cite news |last1=Balluck |first1=Kyle |title=Trump posts O'Keefe videos on Instagram |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/339898-trump-posts-okeefe-videos-on-instagram/ |access-date=June 29, 2017 |work=The Hill |date=June 28, 2017 |archive-date=June 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629085706/http://thehill.com/homenews/media/339898-trump-posts-okeefe-videos-on-instagram |url-status=live }} Jones said that O'Keefe had deceptively edited the video to take his remarks out of context and was attempting to "pull off a hoax." Jones added that he believed that there probably was collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government.{{cite web |first=Joe |last=Concha |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/340118-cnns-van-jones-okeefe-russia-nothingburger-video-a-hoax/ |title=CNN's Van Jones: O'Keefe Russia 'nothingburger' video 'a hoax' |work=The Hill |date=June 29, 2017 |access-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701230948/https://thehill.com/homenews/media/340118-cnns-van-jones-okeefe-russia-nothingburger-video-a-hoax |url-status=live }}

On June 30, 2017, O'Keefe released the third part of the undercover videos. Part 3 of the series showed CNN associate producer Jimmy Carr saying that Trump is "fucking crazy" and that "on the inside, we all recognize he is a clown, that he is hilariously unqualified for this, he's really bad at this, and that he does not have America's best interests". Carr also said "This is a man who's not actually a Republican, he just adopted that because that was the party he thought he could win in. He doesn't believe anything that these people believe." Additionally, he said American voters are "stupid as shit."{{cite news |last1=Rowland |first1=Geoffrey |title=CNN producer on new O'Keefe video: Voters are 'stupid;' Trump is 'crazy' |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/media/340210-cnn-producer-on-new-okeefe-video-voters-are-stupid-crazy/ |access-date=June 30, 2017 |work=The Hill |date=June 30, 2017 |archive-date=June 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630222338/http://thehill.com/homenews/media/340210-cnn-producer-on-new-okeefe-video-voters-are-stupid-crazy |url-status=live }} He also made comments about Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway, calling her an "awful woman" and stating that she "looks like she got hit with a shovel". In a fourth video published by Project Veritas on July 5, Carr criticized CNN co-anchor Chris Cuomo.{{cite news |title=CNN Project Veritas Video Reveals Producer Criticizing Chris Cuomo, Doubling Down On Voter Comments |url=http://www.inquisitr.com/4347608/cnn-project-veritas-video-reveals-producer-criticizing-chris-cuomo-doubling-down-on-voter-comments/ |agency=Inquistr |date=July 5, 2017 |access-date=July 5, 2017 |archive-date=July 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730075028/https://www.inquisitr.com/4347608/cnn-project-veritas-video-reveals-producer-criticizing-chris-cuomo-doubling-down-on-voter-comments/ |url-status=live }}

Starting in July 2017, Project Veritas operative Jaime Phillips attempted to infiltrate The Washington Post and other media outlets by joining networking groups related to journalism and left-leaning politics. She and a male companion attended events related to the Post, and their conversations with journalists were sometimes covertly recorded.{{cite news |last1=Reinhard |first1=Beth |last2=Davis |first2=Aaron C. |last3=Tran |first3=Andrew Ba |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/womans-effort-to-infiltrate-the-washington-post-dates-back-months/2017/11/29/ce95e01a-d51e-11e7-b62d-d9345ced896d_story.html |title=Woman's effort to infiltrate The Washington Post dated back months |date=November 29, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 30, 2017 |archive-date=November 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130030523/https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/womans-effort-to-infiltrate-the-washington-post-dates-back-months/2017/11/29/ce95e01a-d51e-11e7-b62d-d9345ced896d_story.html |url-status=live }}

In November 2017, The Washington Post reported that several women accused Republican Alabama U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore of pursuing them while they were teenagers and he was in his 30s.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/a-woman-approached-the-post-with-dramatic--and-false--tale-about-roy-moore-sje-appears-to-be-part-of-undercover-sting-operation/2017/11/27/0c2e335a-cfb6-11e7-9d3a-bcbe2af58c3a_story.html |title=A woman approached The Post with dramatic — and false — tale about Roy Moore. She appears to be part of undercover sting operation. |last1=Boburg |first1=Shawn |date=November 27, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=November 27, 2017 |last2=Davis |first2=Aaron C. |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286 |last3=Crites |first3=Alice |archive-date=August 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812151352/https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/a-woman-approached-the-post-with-dramatic--and-false--tale-about-roy-moore-sje-appears-to-be-part-of-undercover-sting-operation/2017/11/27/0c2e335a-cfb6-11e7-9d3a-bcbe2af58c3a_story.html |url-status=live }} Later that same month, Jaime Phillips approached The Washington Post and falsely claimed that Moore had impregnated her as a teenager and that she had an abortion.{{cite news|last=Haag|first=Matthew|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/27/us/washington-post-roy-moore-project-veritas.html|title=Woman Tried to Dupe Washington Post With False Claim About Roy Moore, Paper Says|work=The New York Times|date=November 27, 2017|access-date=November 28, 2017|archive-date=April 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405035541/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/27/us/washington-post-roy-moore-project-veritas.html|url-status=live}} In conducting its usual fact-checking, the Post discovered multiple red flags in her story. They found a GoFundMe page in her name that said, "I've accepted a job to work in the conservative media movement to combat the lies and deceipt {{sic}} of the liberal MSM." After a Post reporter confronted her with the inconsistencies during a video-recorded interview, Phillips denied that she was working with an organization that targets journalists, and said that she no longer wanted to do the story. She was seen outside Project Veritas' office in Mamaroneck, New York, with her car remaining at the office's parking lot for more than an hour. O'Keefe declined to comment about the woman's apparent connection to Project Veritas. Instead of running a story about Phillips' supposed pregnancy, the Post published an article about the attempted sting operation. The Post decided to disclose Phillips' original discussions made off the record, saying they were not obligated to keep them confidential because she had deceived them.

Hours after the Post published this story, O'Keefe released a video which he claimed exposed the newspaper's liberal bias.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/nov/27/washington-post-project-veritas-sting-report |title=Washington Post catches woman in apparent rightwing sting, paper reports |date=November 27, 2017 |work=The Guardian |agency=Associated Press |access-date=November 28, 2017 |archive-date=November 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128062217/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/nov/27/washington-post-project-veritas-sting-report |url-status=live }} The video includes undercover footage of conversations with two Post employees, national security reporter Dan Lamothe and product director Joey Marburger.{{cite web |last=Cummings |first=William |url=http://www.wusa9.com/ext/news/nation-now/washington-post-claims-activist-tried-to-embarrass-paper-with-false-moore-accusation/65/nationnow/6e6cf675-89ac-4149-a915-9d74d1a2ac21 |title='Washington Post' claims activist tried to embarrass paper with false Moore accusation |publisher=WUSA*9 |date=November 27, 2017 |access-date=November 28, 2017 |archive-date=November 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171128064354/http://www.wusa9.com/ext/news/nation-now/washington-post-claims-activist-tried-to-embarrass-paper-with-false-moore-accusation/65/nationnow/6e6cf675-89ac-4149-a915-9d74d1a2ac21 |url-status=live }} These employees explained to undercover Project Veritas operatives the difference between the news reporting of The Washington Post (which calls out the Trump administration's missteps while giving "him credit where there's credit" due) and the Post's opinion editorials; O'Keefe said that this exposed the Washington Post's "hidden agenda."{{cite news|url=https://www.vox.com/2017/11/27/16707410/conservative-group-fake-roy-moore-allegation-washington-post|title=A conservative group tried to plant a fake Roy Moore allegation in the Washington Post. It failed|work=Vox|access-date=November 28, 2017|archive-date=December 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230133207/https://www.vox.com/2017/11/27/16707410/conservative-group-fake-roy-moore-allegation-washington-post|url-status=live}}

Rod Dreher of The American Conservative praised the Washington Post and called on conservative donors to stop giving money to O'Keefe's outfit.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/wapo-badly-burns-james-okeefe/|title=WaPo Badly Burns James O'Keefe|work=The American Conservative|access-date=November 28, 2017|language=en-us|archive-date=October 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003051228/https://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/wapo-badly-burns-james-okeefe/|url-status=live|quote="Somehow, conservative donors still keep shelling out cash to James O’Keefe’s outfit. Here’s an idea, y’all: redirect your (tax-deductible) gift to TAC, which publishes actual conservative journalism and commentary."}} Dan McLaughlin of the conservative National Review said that O'Keefe's sting was an "own goal" and that O'Keefe was doing a disservice to the conservative movement;{{Cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/454097/james-okeefe-helps-washington-post|title=James O'Keefe Shoots at The Washington Post and Misses|work=National Review|access-date=November 28, 2017|language=en|archive-date=February 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217001757/http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/454097/james-okeefe-helps-washington-post|url-status=live}} Jim Geraghty of the National Review made a similar assessment.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/454105/if-james-okeefe-and-project-veritas-tried-get-paper-print-lie-are-they-really-serving|title=If You're Trying to Get a Paper to Print a Lie, Are You Really Serving Truth?|work=National Review|access-date=November 28, 2017|language=en|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201233358/http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/454105/if-james-okeefe-and-project-veritas-tried-get-paper-print-lie-are-they-really-serving|url-status=live}} Byron York of The Washington Examiner said that O'Keefe's "idiocy" was "beyond boneheaded," and that "O'Keefe really ought to hang it up."{{Cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/11/28/media/washington-post-james-okeefe-sting/index.html|title=James O'Keefe on the defensive after failed anti-Post plot|last=Stelter|first=Brian|work=CNNMoney|access-date=November 28, 2017|archive-date=December 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209220214/https://money.cnn.com/2017/11/28/media/washington-post-james-okeefe-sting/index.html|url-status=live}} Ben Shapiro, the conservative editor in chief of The Daily Wire, said that the botched sting was "horrible, both morally and effectively." Conor Friedersdorf of The Atlantic wrote, "If James O'Keefe respected the right-wing populists who make up the audience of Project Veritas ... he would tell them the truth about all of the organizations that he targets. Instead, Project Veritas operates in bad faith, an attribute it demonstrated again this week in the aftermath of its bungled attempt to trick The Washington Post."{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/11/james-okeefe/546869/|title=The Bad Faith of James O'Keefe|last=Friedersdorf|first=Conor|work=The Atlantic|access-date=November 28, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=October 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003211435/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/11/james-okeefe/546869/|url-status=live}} Noah Rothman of the conservative magazine Commentary chastised O'Keefe for being exploitative of his audience: "No longer are institutions like Veritas dedicated to combating ignorance in their audience. They're actively courting it."{{Cite news|url=https://www.commentarymagazine.com/american-society/conservative-media-james-okeefe-gives-up/|title=How James O'Keefe Exposed the Corruption in Conservative Activist Media|date=November 28, 2017|work=Commentary Magazine|access-date=November 28, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=July 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717070738/https://www.commentarymagazine.com/american-society/conservative-media-james-okeefe-gives-up/|url-status=live}}

Jonathan Chait of New York magazine said that O'Keefe, having set out prove that the Post was fake news, ended up disproving it. O'Keefe's plot collapsed because it was premised on a ludicrously false worldview, wrote Chait. "The Washington Post does not, in fact, publish unverified accusations just because they're against Republicans." O'Keefe's attempts to prove rampant voter fraud have failed "because voter fraud is not rampant."{{Cite news|url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/11/conservative-fails-to-prove-washington-post-is-fake-news.html|title=Conservative Tries to Prove Washington Post Is Fake News, Proves Opposite|last=Chait|first=Jonathan|work=Daily Intelligencer|access-date=November 28, 2017|language=en|archive-date=October 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004203427/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/11/conservative-fails-to-prove-washington-post-is-fake-news.html|url-status=live}}

On May 2, 2018, Project Veritas posted on YouTube a video allegedly showing a union administrator from the New Jersey Education Association, a teachers union, discussing a teacher alleged to have struck a student.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2018/05/i_need_to_know_the_truth_so_we_can_bend_the_truth.html|title=Teacher union president suspended after allegedly saying 'I'm here to defend even the worst people'|work=NJ.com|access-date=May 8, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=December 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215040931/https://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2018/05/i_need_to_know_the_truth_so_we_can_bend_the_truth.html|url-status=live}} The following day, O'Keefe released a second video allegedly showing another union administrator speaking to students about a different alleged incident of a teacher pushing and injuring a student.{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2018/05/second_teachers_union_president_target_of_new_vide.html|title=2nd N.J. teachers union prez suspended after undercover video|work=NJ.com|access-date=May 8, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=September 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910210021/https://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2018/05/second_teachers_union_president_target_of_new_vide.html|url-status=live}} In the video, the administrator allegedly boasted of her effort to retain a pension for a teacher who allegedly had sex with a student. Both teachers were suspended pending an investigation, and resigned from their union roles after the release of the videos. During a New Jersey Senate meeting on May 31, the New Jersey Education Association announced that a law firm would investigate the incidents.{{cite web |last1=Wolfman-Arent |first1=Avi |title=N.J. lawmakers question teachers union on undercover videos |url=https://whyy.org/articles/n-j-lawmakers-question-teachers-union-on-undercover-videos/ |website=WHYY |access-date=March 20, 2021 |date=May 31, 2018 |archive-date=April 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418015501/https://whyy.org/articles/n-j-lawmakers-question-teachers-union-on-undercover-videos/ |url-status=live }}

In 2024 O'Keefe and Project Veritas settled a lawsuit against them for defamation, brought by the postmaster of Erie, Pennsylvania.

O'Keefe and Project Veritas had alleged improprieties in Post Office handling of mail-in ballots during the November 2020 election. Subsequent investigation by the Postal Service Inspector General found no evidence to support the claim.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/17/usps-ballot-fraud-investigation/ |title=Postal Service finds no evidence of mail ballot fraud in Pa. case cited by top Republicans |first1=Jacob |last1=Bogage |first2=Shawn |last2=Boburg |date=March 17, 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=2024-02-07}}

Project Veritas continued to promote the claims of fraud after they had been discredited. The postmaster sued Project Veritas and O'Keefe for defamation in 2021. In the 2024 settlement, O'Keefe admitted in a statement that he was "aware of no evidence or other allegation that election fraud occurred in the Erie Post Office during the 2020 Presidential Election."{{Cite news |last=Reilly |first=Ryan J. |date=2024-02-05 |title=James O'Keefe and Project Veritas settle suit over bogus voter fraud claims cited by Trump campaign |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/james-okeefe-project-veritas-settle-suit-bogus-voter-fraud-claims-cite-rcna137366 |access-date=2024-02-07 |work=NBC News |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2024-02-06 |title=Project Veritas admits there was no evidence of election fraud at Erie post office in 2020 |url=https://apnews.com/article/election-pennsylvania-postmaster-ballots-2020-project-veritas-327d470d18ec40792ffe4ead61feeb92 |access-date=2024-02-07 |work=AP News |language=en-US}}

On April 15, 2021, O'Keefe was suspended from Twitter for "operating fake accounts".{{Cite news|last=Van Voris|first=Bob|date=April 20, 2021|title=Twitter Sued by Right-Wing Provocateur James O'Keefe Over Ban|language=en|work=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-20/twitter-sued-by-right-wing-provocateur-james-o-keefe-over-ban-knpoq4w4|access-date=April 21, 2021|archive-date=April 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421190733/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-20/twitter-sued-by-right-wing-provocateur-james-o-keefe-over-ban-knpoq4w4|url-status=live}} On April 19, he filed a lawsuit against Twitter in state court in Westchester County, New York, claiming that Twitter's reason for suspending him is "false and defamatory".

On November 6, 2021, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed an early morning court-ordered search of O'Keefe's apartment in Mamaroneck, New York two days after searching the homes of two of O'Keefe's associates in connection with the alleged theft of a diary belonging to President Biden's daughter, Ashley Biden, in 2020. Excerpts from the diary were posted two weeks before the 2020 US presidential election,{{Cite news|last1=Schmidt|first1=Michael S.|last2=Rashbaum|first2=William K.|last3=Goldman|first3=Adam|last4=Protess|first4=Ben|date=November 6, 2021|title=F.B.I. Searches James O'Keefe's Home in Ashley Biden Diary Theft Inquiry|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/06/us/politics/james-okeefe-project-veritas-ashley-biden.html|access-date=November 16, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107033434/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/06/us/politics/james-okeefe-project-veritas-ashley-biden.html|url-status=live}} which includes Ashley Biden stating that President Biden had inappropriate showers with her when she was a child.{{Cite web |last=Kasprak |first=Alex |date=2024-04-05 |title=Have Contents of 'Ashley Biden's Diary' Been Verified? |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/ashley-biden-diary-claims/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Snopes |language=en}}

In a statement, the Committee to Protect Journalists expressed concern that lacking "a clear link between members of Project Veritas and allegations of criminal activities" the FBI raids and seizure of evidence were a "dangerous precedent that could allow law enforcement to search and confiscate reporters' unpublished source material in vague attempts to identify whistleblowers."{{cite web |date=November 15, 2021 |title=Statements: CPJ concerned over FBI raid on home of Project Veritas founder James O'Keefe |url=https://cpj.org/2021/11/cpj-concerned-over-fbi-raid-on-home-of-project-veritas-founder-james-okeefe/ |publisher=Committee to Protect Journalists |access-date=April 20, 2022 |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412085613/https://cpj.org/2021/11/cpj-concerned-over-fbi-raid-on-home-of-project-veritas-founder-james-okeefe/ |url-status=live }}

A vice-president of the Washington Commanders football team was fired after O'Keefe Media Group released recordings of disparaging remarks about the owner of the team, football players, and fans. O'Keefe said the team employee was recorded by a woman he met on a dating app during two dates. But the person he went out with was actually an undercover reporter for O'Keefe Media.{{Cite news |date=September 5, 2024 |last=Whyno |first=Stephen |title=Commanders fire employee after undercover video showed him disparaging players and fans |url=https://apnews.com/article/washington-commanders-enteen-employee-suspended-05bd97f3aa1d40b836ae93759b360252 |access-date=2024-09-05 |work=AP News |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Breech |first1=John |title=Commanders executive fired after trashing Cowboys' Jerry Jones, NFL players and fans in undercover video |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/commanders-executive-fired-after-trashing-cowboys-jerry-jones-nfl-players-and-fans-in-undercover-video/ |website=CBSSports.com |access-date=5 September 2024 |language=en |date=5 September 2024}}

Project Veritas uses methods not employed by reputable journalists, including misrepresenting its operatives' identities. O'Keefe refers to himself as a "guerrilla journalist".{{cite news |last1=Markon |first1=Jerry |title=Conservative video-maker James O'Keefe: Homeland Security targeted me, asked intrusive questions |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2015/08/13/conservative-video-maker-james-okeefe-homeland-security-targeted-me-asked-intrusive-questions |access-date=August 27, 2015 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=August 13, 2015 |archive-date=August 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824050310/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2015/08/13/conservative-video-maker-james-okeefe-homeland-security-targeted-me-asked-intrusive-questions/ |url-status=live }} Such methods have stirred debate about what it means to be a journalist and what constitutes good journalistic practice, especially with respect to undercover work.{{cite journal |url=https://www.cjr.org/the_kicker/brooke_kroeger_on_james_okeefe.php |title=Brooke Kroeger on James O'Keefe and Undercover Reporting: A CJR Podcast |journal=Columbia Journalism Review |publisher=Columbia University Press |last=Kroeger |first=Brooke |date=March 15, 2011 |access-date=April 26, 2011 |archive-date=May 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519214931/http://www.cjr.org/the_kicker/brooke_kroeger_on_james_okeefe.php |url-status=live }}

Tim Kenneally and Daniel Frankel reporting for TheWrap in 2011 noted that some of O'Keefe's supporters referred to him as the right wing's answer to a long line of left-leaning "hybrid troublemakers who get put on the cover of Rolling Stone, like Paul Krassner and Abbie Hoffman".Tim Kenneally & Daniel Frankel [http://www.thewrap.com/media/article/who-exactly-video-sting-artist-james-okeefe-25369#: "James O'Keefe, NPR-Slayer, What Kind of Journalist is This?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110312085102/http://www.thewrap.com/media/article/who-exactly-video-sting-artist-james-okeefe-25369#: |date=March 12, 2011 }}, thewrap.com, March 9, 2011. In that same 2011 report, Marty Kaplan, director of the Norman Lear Center at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, was quoted as saying:

{{blockquote|What [O'Keefe] does isn't journalism. It's agitpop{{sic}}, politi-punking, entrapment-entertainment. There is no responsible definition of journalism that includes what he does or how he does it. His success at luring his prey into harming themselves is a measure of how fallible and foolish anyone, including good people, can sometimes be.}}

In reporting on allegations that O'Keefe had attempted in 2010 to tamper with United States Senator Mary Landrieu's office phone system, Jim Rutenberg and Campbell Robertson of the New York Times posited that O'Keefe practiced a kind of "gonzo journalism" and his tactic is to "caricature the political and social values of his enemies by carrying them to outlandish extremes."{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/us/politics/31landrieu.html?pagewanted=all |title=High Jinks to Handcuffs for Landrieu Provocateur |work=The New York Times |date=January 30, 2010 |access-date=October 3, 2010 |first1=Jim |last1=Rutenberg |first2=Campbell |last2=Robertson |archive-date=February 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204202203/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/us/politics/31landrieu.html?pagewanted=all |url-status=live }}

In a March 2011 interview with O'Keefe, NPR journalist Bob Garfield asked, referring to the ACORN videos, "If your journalistic technique is the lie, why should we believe anything you have to say?" O'Keefe responded that his techniques should be characterized as a form of guerrilla theater rather than "lying" – "you're posing as something you're not, in order to capture candid conversations from your subject. But I wouldn't characterize it as, as lying."{{cite news |url=http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2011/03/18/05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322041955/http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2011/03/18/05 |archive-date=March 22, 2011 |publisher=NPR |title=On the Media Transcript of "James O'Keefe" |date=March 18, 2011 |author-link=Bob Garfield |first=Bob |last=Garfield}}

In July 2011, Dean Mills, the dean of the Missouri School of Journalism, compared O'Keefe to Michael Moore and said, "Some ethicists say it is never right for a journalist to deceive for any reason, but there are wrongs in the world that will never be exposed without some kind of subterfuge." The Atlantic journalist Conor Friedersdorf responded that O'Keefe's "mortal sin" wasn't that he misled his subjects, but that he misled his audience by presenting his videos to the public in "less than honest ways that go far beyond normal 'selectivity.'"Friedersdorf, Conor. [https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/07/what-the-nyt-magazine-doesnt-say-about-james-okeefe/242714 "What the NYT Magazine Doesn't Say About James O'Keefe"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203080424/http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/07/what-the-nyt-magazine-doesnt-say-about-james-okeefe/242714/ |date=December 3, 2016 }}, The Atlantic, July 29, 2011.

On February 11, 2021, the Twitter account for Project Veritas was "permanently suspended for repeated violations of Twitter's private information policy." At the same time, O'Keefe's account was "temporarily locked" for violating the policy pending the deletion of a tweet.{{cite news |last1=Hodjat |first1=Arya |date=February 11, 2021 |title=Twitter Suspends Right-Wing Activist Group Project Veritas, James O'Keefe |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/twitter-suspends-right-wing-activist-group-project-veritas-james-okeefe |url-status=live |access-date=February 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212040543/https://www.thedailybeast.com/twitter-suspends-right-wing-activist-group-project-veritas-james-okeefe |archive-date=February 12, 2021}} On April 15, Twitter permanently suspended O'Keefe's personal account for violating the Twitter's policy against "platform manipulation and spam", which disallows the use of fake accounts to "artificially amplify or disrupt conversations". O'Keefe denied that he used fake Twitter accounts and said that he would sue Twitter in response.{{cite web |last1=Walsh |first1=Joe |date=April 15, 2021 |title=Twitter Bans Veritas Founder James O'Keefe — He Threatens Lawsuit In Response |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joewalsh/2021/04/15/twitter-bans-veritas-founder-james-okeefe---he-threatens-lawsuit-in-response |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415221558/https://www.forbes.com/sites/joewalsh/2021/04/15/twitter-bans-veritas-founder-james-okeefe---he-threatens-lawsuit-in-response/ |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |access-date=April 16, 2021 |work=Forbes |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Oshin |first1=Olafimihan |date=April 15, 2021 |title=Twitter permanently suspends Project Veritas's James O'Keefe |url=https://thehill.com/media/548530-twitter-suspended-project-veritass-james-okeefe/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416002112/https://thehill.com/media/548530-twitter-suspended-project-veritass-james-okeefe |archive-date=April 16, 2021 |access-date=April 16, 2021 |work=The Hill |language=en}}

In December 2011 O'Keefe was listed in Forbes 30 Under 30, a list of "rising stars in the media industry."{{cite web |first=Jeff |last=Bercovici |date=December 19, 2011 |title=30 Under 30: Media |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2011/12/19/30-under-30-in-media/ |work=Forbes |access-date=2023-11-29}} The publication regretted the pick in 2023, placing O'Keefe on its Hall of Shame, featuring ten picks it wished it could take back.{{cite web |title=Hall Of Shame: The 10 Most Dubious People Ever To Make Our 30 Under 30 List |date=November 28, 2023 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesunder30team/2023/11/28/hall-of-shame-the-10-most-dubious-people-ever-to-make-our-30-under-30-list/ |access-date=2023-11-29 |work=Forbes}}

O'Keefe is in a relationship with Alexandra Rose, a California real estate agent and star of the reality series Selling the OC.{{Cite news |last=Otten |first=Tori |date=September 7, 2023 |title=James O’Keefe Used Money From Project Veritas to Try to D.J. at Coachella |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/175399/james-okeefe-spent-money-project-veritas-dj-coachella |access-date=2025-04-23 |work=The New Republic |issn=0028-6583}}

• {{cite book |last1=O'Keefe |first1=James |title=Breakthrough: Our Guerrilla War to Expose Fraud and Save Democracy |date=2013 |publisher=Threshold Editions |location=New York |pages=352 |isbn=978-1-4767-0619-1 |oclc=893099977}}
• {{cite book |last1=O'Keefe |first1=James |title=American Pravda: My Fight for Truth in the Era of Fake News |date=2018 |publisher=St. Martin's Press |location=New York |pages=320 |isbn=978-1-250-15464-4}}
• {{cite book |last1=O'Keefe |first1=James |title=American Muckraker: Rethinking Journalism for the 21st Century |date=2022 |publisher=Post Hill |location=New York |pages=288 |isbn=978-1637580905}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://okeefemediagroup.com/ O'Keefe Media Group]

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2011/03/18/05 Interview of O'Keefe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322041955/http://www.onthemedia.org/transcripts/2011/03/18/05 |date=March 22, 2011 }} by NPR's On the Media (audio with transcript)

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:OKeefe, James}}

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