James O'Keefe leaves Project Veritas after overturned firings, employee complaints

Project Veritas founder James O'Keefe has reportedly resigned, according reporter Neil McCabe of One America News.

McCabe reported on Twitter that O'Keefe read a resignation letter to his staff and board members at the company's headquarters:

"Exclusive: James O'Keefe III, 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," said McCabe.

McCabe told the Daily Beast that O'Keefe "just resigns and walks out the door to start a new life." “Now we’ll see: Does the organization he created survive?" McCabe added.

Another colleague of O'Keefe however, R.C. Maxwell, claims that O'Keefe was "removed" from Project Veritas.

"This is not accurate. James was removed from his position as CEO by the Project Veritas board. They are in charge now," Maxwell said on Twitter.

Maxwell reported for Project Veritas as recently as three weeks before O'Keefe's alleged ousting.

Less than two weeks before his exit, O'Keefe was placed on paid leave after employees signed a letter condemning some of the founder's actions.

Executive director of Project Veritas Daniel Strack said at the time that O'Keefe was taking “a few weeks of well-deserved [paid time off].”

Prior reports stated that Project Veritas was deeply divided among board members and employees, with some sticking with O'Keefe and others complaining about his leadership.

A third of the company's employees reportedly wrote an internal memo claiming that O'Keefe had been particularly mean to some of them. Employees said they felt “publicly humiliated” by O'Keefe, suffering through what was described as “public crucifixions.”

“I would describe Project Veritas’ current environment with this saying: ‘The beatings will continue until morale improves,’” a staffer wrote in the memo.

Two executives who were fired by O'Keefe were also reportedly reinstated when he was put on leave.

Five days before his departure, Project Veritas remarked on Twitter that "of course James O'Keefe III is alive and well. Why wouldn’t he be? We’re sure many of you can agree, there is nothing better than enjoying a well deserved vacation."

Maxwell has not yet responded to a request for comment; McCabe was unavailable for comment as well.

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