A recent investigation illuminates serious concerns regarding the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a group largely funded by U.S. taxpayers. This connection raises questions about its integrity and motives. Just before the 2024 elections, the OCCRP utilized its resources to label politicians critical of the European Union as “Moscow agents.” The financial backing for OCCRP’s activities is substantial, with more than €600,000 allocated to a network of partisan journalists immediately following the European elections.
The organization’s ties to George Soros further complicate its image. In a striking turn of events, Germany’s state broadcaster, NDR, is reportedly attempting to bury a documentary that exposes the connections between OCCRP and the U.S. government, along with the sketchy dealings of its journalist network. This documentary features OCCRP chief Drew Sullivan openly admitting that his organization has played a role in “overthrowing five or six governments.” Such statements are alarming and indicate a blatant disregard for national sovereignty.
Reports indicate that NDR sought to silence this critical documentary, scrapping it before it could go public and severing ties with OCCRP in 2023. This censorship raises significant concerns about transparency and accountability, especially when taxpayers’ money is involved. The existence of this suppressed film only came to light due to a leak via the French platform Mediapart in December 2024.
Meanwhile, Member of the European Parliament Petr Bystron, from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, exposed through an inquiry that OCCRP had indeed received significant EU funding right after the elections—money that coincided with OCCRP’s smear campaigns against conservative candidates, including Bystron himself. Despite this interference, Bystron won his seat and decided to release the hidden documentary online. This led NDR to issue a legally questionable cease-and-desist order against him, threatening a hefty fine if he did not comply.
The OCCRP and Sullivan responded vehemently, condemning the leaked documentary as attacks on their organization. Ironically, Sullivan provided no defense against the documentary’s revelations about his own admissions. When inquiries about OCCRP’s EU funding came to light, the organization merely insisted it remained “independent,” a claim that seems increasingly hollow in light of the financial evidence.
Sullivan’s behavior further raises eyebrows, especially following the brutal murder of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Instead of expressing condolences, Sullivan dismissed Kirk’s legacy, calling him “no hero” and using derogatory language to describe him. Such extreme views illustrate a troubling mindset at the helm of an organization that presents itself as a reputable news source.
As this scandal unfolds, the repercussions extend beyond European borders, echoing throughout the United States. In a significant move, President Donald Trump has halted U.S. funding to OCCRP via USAID, signaling a growing Congressional awareness of how this organization has been used as a tool for interference in various political processes. Media outlets in the U.S., like Gateway Pundit and InfoWars, have begun highlighting the intricate web of manipulation OCCRP has been tangled in, challenging the notion of its purported independence and credibility.
With the recent developments surrounding OCCRP, the integrity of its operations is under severe scrutiny. The revelations not only raise questions about the influence of foreign funding in domestic politics but also cast a long shadow over the organizations that maintain such financial ties. As this scandal continues to unfold, it remains essential for the public to stay vigilant about where the funding is coming from and how it is being used to shape narratives and, ultimately, political outcomes.
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