https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/project-vritas-ceo-hannah-giles-quits-b2462834.html Jump to content US EditionChange UK EditionAsia EditionEdicion en Espanol Sign up to our newslettersSubscribe: $20 for 1 year {{indy.truncatedName}} Log in / Register SubscribeMenu * News + News + US + US election 2024 + UK + Europe + World + US Politics + UK Politics + Health + Business + Science + Space + News Videos * Sports + Sports + US Sports + Soccer + Formula 1 + UFC + Rugby Union + Cricket + Tennis + Boxing + Cycling + Golf + Sports Videos * Voices + Voices + Editorials + Letters * Culture + Culture + Movies + TV & Radio + Music + Games + Books + Art + Photography + Theatre & Dance + Culture Videos * Lifestyle + Lifestyle + Tech + Money + Food & Drink + Fashion + Love & Sex + Women + Health & Families + Royal Family + Motoring + Electric Vehicles + Lifestyle Videos * Travel + Travel + News & Advice + Simon Calder + USA + UK + Europe + Asia + Inspiration + City Guides + Sustainable Travel * Premium + Premium + Editorials + Voices + Long Reads + Politics Explained + News Analysis More Best * Home & Garden * Tech * Fashion & Beauty * Food & Drink * Kids * Books * Travel & Outdoors * Sports & Fitness * Deals Climate * News * Voices * Sustainable Living * Explained * Climate Videos * Electric vehicles * SGI TV * Behind The Headlines * On The Ground * Decomplicated * You Ask The Questions * Binge Watch * Music Box * Love Lives * Travel Smart * Watch on your TV * Indy100 * Crosswords & Puzzles * Most Commented * Newsletters * Ask Me Anything * Virtual Events * Vouchers Thank you for registering Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in NewsWorldAmericas Project Veritas CEO quits over 'strong evidence of past illegality' Hannah Giles took over at the helm of Project Veritas from its founder James O'Keefe in June Martha McHardy Tuesday 12 December 2023 19:06 Comments Article bookmarked Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile [ ]Don't show me this message again

Hannah Giles has announced she is quitting as CEO of Project Veritas

Hannah Giles has announced she is quitting as CEO of Project Veritas (Win McNamee/Getty Images) Evening Headlines The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US [ ] Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP [ ]I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Project Veritas CEO Hannah Giles has quit over alleged "strong evidence of past illegality and past financial improprieties." Ms Giles said she was stepping down because the company had become "an unsalvageable mess," and claimed she had reported "evidence" of illegality and financial improprieties to law enforcement. "I am stepping down from all roles with Project Veritas and Project Veritas Action -- effective immediately," Hannah Giles wrote on Monday on X . "Though I had high hopes when I joined the organizations, I stepped into an unsalvageable mess -- one wrought with strong evidence of past illegality and past financial improprieties. Once such evidence was discovered, I brought the information to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Thank you." The Independent has contacted Project Veritas for comment. Ms Giles took over at the helm of Project Veritas, a self-identified "investigative journalism" organisation known for its use of hidden cameras to discredit mainstream media organisations and progressive groups, from its founder James O'Keefe in June. Mr O'Keefe was forced out by the Project Veritas board in February over allegations that he mistreated workers and misspent organisation funds. James O'Keefe was forced out by the Project Veritas board in February (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The former chairman and CEO was also accused of spending "an excessive amount of donor funds" on personal luxuries including $10,000 for a helicopter flight from New York to Maine; more than $150,000 on private car services over an 18-month span; and expensive stays in luxury hotel suites while other employees were forced to stay in budget accommodations. Project Veritas later sued Mr O'Keefe in May, accusing him of breaching his contract with "incredibly troubling workplace and financial misconduct," including screaming at colleagues, exposing employees to obscene messages and having staffers run errands for him, such as picking up laundry and cleaning his boat. Amid its financial struggles, Project Veritas laid off all its employees in September and suspended all of its operations. The company's suspension of operations came one month after New York prosecutors announced that Mr O'Keefe was under investigation over his use of funds and treatment of staff. Mr O'Keefe's lawyer responded by blaming the investigation on "disgruntled former employees of Project Veritas who had a problem with their CEO using too many car services to pay for fundraising efforts which paid their salaries". Project Veritas was founded by Mr O'Keefe in 2010. It was known for its sting operations involving hidden cameras. Prominent targets included Acorn, a community activism group Mr O'Keefe helped bring down by posing as a pimp seeking to set up a brothel. His video resulted in Congress removing some funding for Acorn after workers from the group were secretly taped offering him and a partner financial advice while they posed as a pimp and prostitute. Meanwhile, in 2010, Mr O'Keefe was sentenced to three years of probation, 100 hours of community service and a $1,500 fine after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanour charges stemming from his involvement in a break-in at the office of Mary Landrieu, a Democratic senator from Louisiana, who he claimed was ignoring constituent calls during a healthcare debate. Mr O'Keefe has consistently denied any wrongdoing or illegality. More about James O'KeefeProject Veritaslaw enforcement Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments 1/2Project Veritas CEO quits over 'strong evidence of past illegality' Project Veritas CEO quits over 'strong evidence of past illegality' James O'Keefe was forced out by the Project Veritas board in February Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Project Veritas CEO quits over 'strong evidence of past illegality' Hannah Giles has announced she is quitting as CEO of Project Veritas Win McNamee/Getty Images Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Subscribe Already subscribed? 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