ALBANY - Project Veritas, the conservative Mamaroneck-based charity known for trying to discredit journalists and left-leaning organizations through hidden-camera stings, could be at risk of losing its ability to raise money in New York.
State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office sent a letter this week to Project Veritas president James O'Keefe, warning him that the group's fundraising registration may be canceled if the group doesn't explain within 15 days why it failed to notify the state of O'Keefe's prior misdemeanor.
In his letter, Charities Bureau Chief James Sheehan questioned why O'Keefe's conviction wasn't listed on the group's initial registration with the state, which requires charities to list whether their top officers have been convicted of a crime.
Sheehan gave Project Veritas 15 days to provide more information.
"Failure to provide the requested information may subject Project Veritas to further legal action, including cancellation of its registration to solicit contributions in New York," Sheehan wrote in the letter dated Wednesday.
In a statement, Project Veritas spokesman Stephen Gordon claimed the letter was a "politically motivated" attack. Schneiderman is a Democrat with liberal-leaning policy positions.
On Monday, The Washington Post reported a woman falsely posing as a victim of sexual abuse by Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore had been observed entering Project Veritas' headquarters in Mamaroneck.
The state Attorney General's Office regulates charities in New York, including Project Veritas.
O'Keefe, the public face of Project Veritas, pleaded guilty in 2010 to entering U.S. property under false pretenses as part of a scheme to visit Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu's Washington office.
In his statement, Gordon said Project Veritas is "currently investigating the claims from the New York AG’s office."
“This is clearly politically motivated and appears to be an intentional, well-orchestrated and malicious attempt to shut us down - but we will not be stopped!" Gordon said. "We attempt to comply not only with the letter of the law but also the spirit of the law in every state."
