UPDATE: O'Keefe says he was removed from the company in an exclusive video provided to Timcast News.
https://timcast.com/news/exclusive-video-james-okeefe-tells-project-veritas-staff-ive-been-removed-from-ceo-and-board/Project Veritas founder James O'Keefe is no longer with the company after being placed on paid leave by the board earlier this month.
There are currently conflicting reports about whether he resigned or was removed from the company that he founded in 2011.
OAN reporter and Project Veritas alum Neil McCabe tweeted the news on Monday morning.
"[OKeefe], my friend and former boss at Project Veritas, just read his resignation letter to his former team and board members at their Mamaroneck, N.Y. headquarters," McCabe wrote. "James will make his own way—as he always has before." Exclusive: @JamesOKeefeIII, my friend and former boss at @Project_Veritas, just read his resignation letter to his former team and board members at their Mamaroneck, N.Y. headquarters. James will make his own way—as he always has before. @OANN pic.twitter.com/knOqtFTw7e
— ReporterMcCabe (@NeilWMcCabe2) February 20, 2023
However, Project Veritas' RC Maxwell soon replied that this was inaccurate — and that the board removed O'Keefe.
"This is not accurate. James was removed from his position as CEO by the Project Veritas board. They are in charge now," Maxwell wrote. This is not accurate.
James was removed from his position as CEO by the Project Veritas board.
They are in charge now https://t.co/cJ1oNUkBPd
— R.C. Maxwell 🇺🇸 (@BlackHannity) February 20, 2023
As Timcast News previously reported, a group of 16 Project Veritas employees asked the non-profit's board of directors earlier this month, asking them to remove O’Keefe in a letter exposing internal tensions within the organization.
"The undersigned is troubled and frustrated with James’ management style and business acumen," the letter began. "These behaviors and actions are antithetical to our core values, and it came to a head this week. Most recently, the treatment of Barry Hinckley and Tom O’Hara." Board members and C Suite officers involved in this according to my source are as follows:
Board members:
Matt Tyrmand - Ringleader
John Garvey
George Skakel
Joseph Barton (not the congressman)
Steve Alembik
CFO: Tom O’Hara
COO: Barry Hinckley (Ringleader pronouns in bio) pic.twitter.com/IRI5kS1O43
— Swig 🇺🇸 (@OldRowSwig) February 9, 2023
The group accused O'Keefe of becoming a "power-drunk tyrant" and said that "he is exactly who he pontificates on who we should be exposing." Project Veritas’ Official Response to Today’s News Reports
Despite what the Corporate Media tries to portray about our organization, know this: We have never been more motivated and dedicated to our mission than now. pic.twitter.com/sB7Cz97b5M
— Project Veritas (@Project_Veritas) February 9, 2023
O'Keefe was subsequently placed on leave, and many close to the company's founder described it as a coup.
Social media and donors rallied behind O'Keefe, with "James O'Keefe is Project Veritas" trending on Twitter and a cease and desist letter sent to the company by those who fund it. 🚨🚨🚨EXCLUSIVE🚨🚨🚨: I have obtained a Cease and Desist Demand Letter sent to the @Project_Veritas Board of Directors by a law firm representing a large group of significant PV donors.
RT!!! pic.twitter.com/PHo9vGvYt7
— Swig 🇺🇸 (@OldRowSwig) February 10, 2023
"We are concerned that the Board may already be acting in violation of Virginia charitable solicitation and trust law and ask that the Board refrain from taking further actions to fundamentally undermine the purposes for which Project Veritas be established," the letter from the donors read.
Timcast News has reached out to Project Veritas and O'Keefe for comment and clarification. We will update this story if more information is provided.
