Encyclopedia · Biography
James O'Keefe
Founder of Project Veritas and O’Keefe Media Group
Personal / institutional details
- Full name
- James Edward O’Keefe
- Occupation
- Conservative activist and undercover-video producer
- Organizations
- Project Veritas (founded 2010; separated 2023); O’Keefe Media Group (founded 2023)
- 2026 legal matter
- Pending Minnesota criminal charges; denied wrongdoing
James Edward O’Keefe is an American conservative activist known for undercover-video projects. He founded Project Veritas and later O’Keefe Media Group (OMG), which are distinct organizations.
Career and organizations
Project Veritas traces its founding to O’Keefe in 2010 following the earlier ACORN undercover-video operation. O’Keefe left Project Veritas in 2023 amid a dispute over management and expenditures. The organization’s own chronology is a party account and must be distinguished from judicial findings. He launched O’Keefe Media Group in 2023.
Joint operation and charges
In October 2026 Minnesota prosecutors charged O’Keefe and Cam Higby over an August primary-election undercover operation at polling places in Hennepin County. Prosecutors allege they misrepresented voters’ identities while attempting to apply for ballots. O’Keefe denies breaking the law and has asserted a First Amendment defense. No vote was cast, according to the charging report.
Connections
His established connections include Project Veritas as founder, OMG as founder and Cam Higby through their joint Minnesota project. An appearance with a media figure does not by itself establish a financing or supervisory relationship.
References
- https://www.projectveritas.com/about
- https://www.projectveritas.com/james-okeefes-departure-what-really-happened
- https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Minnesota-identity-theft-charge-against-James-OKeefe.pdf
- https://www.hennepinattorney.org/en/news/news/2026/October/election-charges
- https://www.startribune.com/james-okeefe-chris-madel-mn-voter-fraud/601915738
Where this subject appears in The Story
Read the historical narrative and follow its linked names and organizations back into the Encyclopedia.
Documented connections
These are specifically described relationships in public records. A shared institution, appointment or event does not by itself demonstrate coordination or wrongdoing.
- Cam Higby (person) — joint-reporting and co-defendants: Joint August 2026 polling-place video operation; both charged, with no conviction established · August–November 2026
- Fearless Media (organization) — documented professional contact via founder: Joint election-video project involving Fearless Media founder Cam Higby; outlet ownership or financing by O’Keefe not established · 2026