On Monday, the founder of Project Veritas, James O’Keefe, confirmed he will be leaving the conservative nonprofit media organization.
Earlier this month, it was reported that the organization’s board was considering removing O’Keefe from his leadership position at the company. On February 8, Project Veritas Executive Director Daniel Strack informed company employees that O’Keefe would be taking “a few weeks of well-deserved PTO.”
It has now been confirmed that the founder has been ousted from the company, with O’Keefe releasing a statement saying that he was departing the organization over a conflict in vision between himself and company executives, alleging that the board disagreed with O’Keefe’s fundraising strategies.
In his statement, O’Keefe confirmed his removal from the company, saying, “Currently, I have no job at Project Veritas. I have no position here based on what the board is done.”
O’Keefe, who founded Project Veritas in 2010, recounted an incident on February 2 during which he engaged in an argument with an executive during a meeting. The disagreement resulted in O’Keefe firing the executive.
Later that day, the Project Veritas board held a meeting with the agenda to hold an emergency vote to restructure the company. According to O’Keefe, this meeting was intentionally scheduled so he would not be able to attend as he was boarding a plane at the time.
“It became clear to me in that moment I would be removed from my position at Project Veritas by the time I landed at my destination,” said O’Keefe.
Reports have been surfacing in recent months of O’Keefe’s mistreatment of staff and misuse of company resources. O’Keefe, however, has denied these allegations and assured his employees that he is “confident” that the real reasons the board ousted him will “come to light.”
The Project Veritas founder assured his employees that his “mission continues” though it may “take on a new name.”
“I’ll make sure you know how to find me,” said O’Keefe. “I hope to see some of you soon.”
Watch James O’Keefe’s full statement: