The founder and chairman of Project Veritas, James O’Keefe, is reportedly on paid leave as the organization’s board considers whether to oust him from his leadership position.
In an internal message to staff, the organization’s executive director, Daniel Strack, said that O’Keefe is taking “a few weeks of well-deserved PTO,” according to New York Magazine.
“Like all newsrooms at this stage, the Project Veritas Board of Directors and Management are constantly evaluating what the best path forward is for the organization,” Strack reportedly said in a statement.
O’Keefe’s communications adviser and the board of the company have seemingly been dissatisfied with O’Keefe’s mismanagement of the organization, according to a source cited by New York Magazine.
BREAKING: James O’Keefe, founder and CEO of Project Veritas, placed on paid leave by the group’s board as they consider removing him from leadership position.
— The UnWokable Podcast (@UnWokablePod) February 8, 2023
Employees allege that O’Keefe wasted money on his theater dreams and was “outright cruel” to his staff, The Daily Beast reported late Wednesday.
“I would describe Project Veritas’ current environment with this saying: ‘The beatings will continue until morale improves,'” one staffer allegedly wrote in a memo.
Project Veritas has faced lawsuits from former employees. It is also being investigated for its conduct relating to the alleged purchase of Ashley Biden’s stolen diary. Two Florida residents pleaded guilty to stealing her diary and selling it to the organization. (RELATED: Two People Plead Guilty To Stealing Ashley Biden’s Diary, Selling It To Project Veritas)
The board is set to meet Friday, when they plan to discuss O’Keefe’s potential removal, according to New York Magazine.