O’Keefe Releases Audio of Phone Call With NPR Exec
- Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:19pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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James O’Keefe and his Project Veritas have just released part two of their NPR investigation, which claims to show an NPR executive telling a fake Muslim donor how his group can be shielded from a government audit if it donates $5 million.
The video features phone calls between a member of O‘Keefe’s fake Muslim organization and Betsy Lily, the NPR executive who played a supporting role in the original video. It is a lengthy 44 minutes long, but that‘s because O’Keefe claims it also includes the unedited phone calls.
“Senior Director of NPR Betsy Liley says she may be able to shield from a govt audit $5mm donation from a reporter posing as a donor from Muslim Brotherhood front group,” the video’s YouTube description says.
We’ve included it below, and will update this story with any necessary reaction:
In light of the O’Keefe videos, you can read our stories on the ethics of undercover journalism as well as our dissection of the original NPR video.
In early reaction on its news site, NPR blogger Mark Memmott notes that one of the actors “presses the question of whether NPR could shield the group’s donation from the government and Liley, who earlier this week was placed on administrative leave, says she thinks so but will have to check with NPR’s legal counsel. That’s among several mistakes she made during the call, NPR said this evening in a statement.”
The statement referenced by Memmott can be viewed in a follow-up story on The Blaze.
Editor’s note: The author has included his thoughts below as an update.
As in our story on the first video, there are some points worth mentioning.
1. In its story on the issue, the Daily Caller says the new video suggests NPR always intended to accept the fake group’s $5 million donation. You may remember that in its first press release, NPR maintained, “The fraudulent organization represented in this video repeatedly pressed us to accept a $5 million check, with no strings attached, which we repeatedly refused to accept.”
Both the DC and others suggest Liley’s e-mail to the actor after the phone call directly contradicts NPR’s earlier assertion that it “repeatedly refused” to accept the donation. That might not be the case.
If you look at the e-mail, Liley never says NPR will either accept or reject the donation. She only says, “NPR can list MEAC as an anonymous donor in our database.” The e-mail seems to be more of a statement of fact rather than a “Welcome to the $5 million donation club.” In the call, Liley promises to look into — and confirm — anonymous donor protocol. The e-mail is her fulfilling her promise.
2. Could the new video actually bode well for NPR? There’s an important point that some are missing. In the video, NPR‘s Liley can be heard asking for the fake organization’s 990 form, which provides “a snapshot of key financial, governance and operating information, including a comparison of the current year’s revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities, with those of the prior year.” That would expose O‘Keefe’s actors, wouldn’t it?
And while she does discuss how anonymous donors may inherently be sheltered from government audits, she also says she will have to look into it further (which, as mentioned above, is the origin of the e-mail).
In the end, it seems NPR asked for much more information from the group — not only requesting the 990 form but also a statement of where the funds should be directed — information that would have exposed the group’s “connections” or in this case, its fraud.
Might the video show, then, that NPR was doing due diligence in following up with a potential donor? After all, it never accepted O‘Keefe’s money.
3. As a side note, anonymous donations are not uncommon, as Liley points out. It would seem she is discussing details she would with any other potentially donor that wanted to shield its identity.
4. It’s also interesting that Liley explains gifts can be turned down, which follows a curious question by her implying that since the fake Muslim organization is a trust that itself accepts gifts, the actor should be familiar with donation practices. Still, she does go out of her way to say she is not implying NPR will turn down the Muslim organizations gift. However, she also reiterates that there are pieces of additional information NPR needs to proceed.
5. There‘s an obvious question burning in everyone’s mind: Why didn’t Liley ask why the group wanted to steer clear of government audits? In some senses that’s a good question. But, if anonymous donations are legal and common, why would she have? Still, that might not hold up in the court of public opinion.
6. The video offers possible additional insight into why Vivian Schiller was fired. The caller specifically says his board might want to meet with Schiller, and Liley lets on that that could be arranged. It’s also insinuated that Schiller knew about the possibility of the donation. NPR‘s board could have uncovered that information prior to the new video’s release and decided that she was too involved in the ordeal to emerge unscathed.
7. It’s interesting that in the wake of the new video, NPR has not radically defended itself. Instead, it has said the information provided by Liley was “factually inaccurate,” and that NPR does report everything to the IRS. Which begs the question, why isn’t NPR defending Liley? Does it view the video as just too damning, and there’s too much proof to deny? Or, would it rather just admit fault and move on? We’ll see: its currently conducting its own investigation.
Whatever happens, it seems that the entire controversy proves wrong the old statement, “there’s no such thing as bad press.” Just ask Ron and Vivian Schiller.
UPDATE II:
Just as I posted this update, NPR released e-mails between Vivian Schiller, Betsy Liley, and NPR’s legal counsel saying that NPR would have to get much more information from the fake group before it could accept the donation. Those e-mails also say the group would have to be reported to the IRS.
We should have a full story on this development shortly.
This is a breaking story. Updates may be added.
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Comments (136)
TMan2020
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:44pmI will never listen to NPR again!
Report Post »heavllyarmed
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:08pmwhy did you to begin with?
Report Post »Navy Gentleman
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:43pmI wonder where the $80 million in anonymous gifts came from?
Report Post »Warphead
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:11pmYou really don’t know? I’ll give you a clue. Same folks that bankrolled barrack’s world travel, education and presidential run. Starting to get a little clearer now? Seein the big picture?
Report Post »cucycln
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:29pmSoros?
Report Post »jacobstroubles
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 6:07pmSoros and a list of other scum bags.
Report Post »Vile degenerates
branch manager
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:42pmThis dude kicks arse!!!!!!!!
Report Post »GORDON SHUMWAY
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:42pmI am confused, when exactly did she refuse the 5,000,000? HAAAAAAA!!!! :)
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:41pmMakes you wonder how much NPR took from Leonid Brezhnev in the 70′s.
Report Post »Warphead
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:40pmPull public funding my a**. SHUT THE TRAITORS DOWN…
Report Post »jollylama
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 6:02pmWow.. Payola.. sounds like the music business – Think these traitors are aligned with the WH – I can smell it from here.. if we connect the dots and follow the money should make an interesting story.
Report Post »Ken
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:39pmBribery on the tax payer’s dime! Whoda thunk it?
Report Post »Warphead
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:38pmUh, ohhhh. Looks like sombody else is about to get fired. “Snicker, snicker” I’m heartbroken. “Snicker, snicker” Seriously I feel for them.”Snicker, snicker” For real I’m all torn up. It’s a crying shame. Oh the humanity.
Report Post »Ha,, ha, ha, ha, ha, Please stop my sides are splitting.
This has been the best day ever!!!
G.W. Dobbs
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:37pmFire them all. Defund npr. Clean house.
Report Post »duane38637
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:37pmIve e-mailed Sen Wicker,Cochran and rep Nunnelee Saying to them DO NOT fund NPR. These happenings need to be heavly announced at the RNC convention. Because the mainstream media is not reporting all of this.
Report Post »KOJACK73
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:36pmI did not like his whole set up of the reporter a few months back but his under cover work on Acorn and now NPR & PBS is awesome, glad someone is pulling the shades open.
Report Post »JesusChrist
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:36pm//NPR and the rest of 98% of the rest of the media are “front-groups”for everyone and everything that is anti-American— How can we win this struggle to save our republic against these odds//
you will not win…i….jesus the christ….have sided with the progressives, sry….but what did you expect?
Showtime
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:46pmJesus Christ you are not.
Report Post »sleazyhippo
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:52pmHey JC, keep it up. I believe you are who you are. But these people would not know Michael Moore if he/she were walking amongst them.
Report Post »Proud AF Oathkeeper
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:41pmI pray for you when you reach your judgment for such a shameful sin you have just committed. If you repent socalled JC, The one and only true Lord will forgive you.
Report Post »Constitutional
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:36pmEven NPR leftists are corrupt to the bone. Funny.
Report Post »sleazyhippo
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:56pmLooking below I recognize JC – hey man, loooong time no see around here! Don’t feel bad, eh! These guys wouldn’t know if Michael Moore were walking amongst them!
Report Post »bry
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:17pmSleazyhippo…we don’t care whether Michael Moore is here or not. Just like we don’t care if a fatso from canaduh posts. Have a ball.
Report Post »RusHube
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:35pmEliminate NPR entirely, this is Treasonous at the least if not plain UnAmerican !!!
Report Post »exliberalgrl
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:34pmNPR, what a bunch of slithering snakes. PULL FED FUNDING NOW!!!!!
Report Post »duane38637
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:33pmIf this story dont lose some skeptical democrat voters from their party its unreal because Obama wants to increase funding for NPR.
Report Post »teachermitch32
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 6:51pmYea, huh! The WH feels no compulsion what-so-ever to find out more about NPR’s agenda and possible corrupt financial dealings. Instead he wants to increase their funding with taxpayer dollars during a time of economic trouble. Unbelievable! Especially when NPR says they can stand on their own and without those funds.
Report Post »soapbox55
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:33pmWouldn’t it be nice to be privy to all inside conversations regarding programing, editing and such at NPR (and any large “news” organization. We’d be sure of much more…
Report Post »DAGNY
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 10:02pmI suppose if someone offered an insider enough money, somebody would talk. It’s all about the money when someone has no core values or moral compass.
Report Post »GetRealThinker
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:31pmDooh, that is going to leave a mark! Curious if this lady could face legal issues, definitely a cause to audit NPR. Defund them now!
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:41pmShe has already admitted to accepting millions of dollars of donations without any paperwork or identifying who the donations were from. Who knows how long this has been going on?
Report Post »Journeywoman
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:48pmIsn’t that where Obama learned it from?
Report Post »jacobstroubles
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 6:10pmAnd to watch the hysterical speech given by thew WH mouth piece about there’s no reason to defund them…. OFF THE HOOK…funny stuff. You cant make this crap up…they just keep dishin it out.
Uhh ohh…little barry gonna start throwing a little tantrum soon..so many things not goin his way..
ohhhhhhhh booooo whoo…
Seriously folks, we’re likely to see some real ugliness from this guy..he is unlikley to act civil in the sand box.
Report Post »joan k
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:29pmThis organization deserves no public funding. Let them run their group just like all the other broadcasting groups.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:29pmIs Ms. Lily the next to go?
Report Post »Ken
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:37pmHope so!
Report Post »sleazyhippo
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:50pmBye Bye Now.
Report Post »DonaldH
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:28pmNPR and the rest of 98% of the rest of the media are “front-groups”for everyone and everything that is anti-American— How can we win this struggle to save our republic against these odds
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:35pmAgreed, these people would sell out their own country, their own souls, for their progressive cause.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:42pmI’m calling my congressman and asking for a formal investigation. How about you?
Report Post »sleazyhippo
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:50pmGreat Idea. It’s interesting that when Law Enforcement rated the ACORN tapes legally unusable, we were still able to stir up Congress and destroy ACORN anyway.
Report Post »PrfctlyFrank
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:45pmYeah, wasn’t that great?? A smokin hole where the ACORN juggernaut used to practice bully tactics and fraud.. Now Planned Parenthood and Eugenics, Then NPR.. Don’t let em set you up again James.. Do the good work, the Tea Party will get your back, and do it legally..
Report Post »CONSERVATIVEINCONNECTICUT
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:27pmKeep up the great work james!!!
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:50pmOh, to get him to do an undercover report on Obama’s eligibility! I can pray, can’t I?
Report Post »Toastery
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:47pmHome James! 1600 Penn Ave, and take plenty film!
Report Post »sleazyhippo
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:26pmHere we go again! James O’Keefe, the man who slew ACORN and on Wednesday toppled the CEO of NPR, is some new kind of journalist – one who glories in destruction over evidential legality. All Hail King James!
Report Post »JMS
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:19pmDude, this comment makes no sense. Are you on drugs? Please correct the typos/grammar and get back to us with an edited version of your thoughts.
Report Post »sleazyhippo
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:23pmJust think about it, and if you cannot understand, then move along.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:33pmJMS, he’s just an obama troll, ignore him and he becomes a useless obama joke.
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:25pmInsert evil laugh here!
Report Post »sleazyhippo
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:21pmExcellent musical & horrific laughter interlude…
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:44pmPhantom of the Opera music … plays ….
Report Post »Toastery
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:45pmAll NPR donations for the past 5 years need to be audited and NPR needs to be defunded!
Report Post »tesla V
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 7:06pmHow about the laugh the character named “Billy ”gave in Predator.
Report Post »Oil_Robb
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 9:45pmhahaha…….ata boy James
Report Post »RedHalo
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:25pmThis guy is brilliant.
Report Post »butler180
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:31pmAnd does the job that main stream media can or will not do.
Report Post »James83940
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:31pmPatriot!!! We conservatives need more like him!
Report Post »BuckOfama
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:35pmAnd these are the same people obozo surrounds himself with…….
Lucy Larue
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:43pmREDHALO,
Not only is he brilliant but..,it seems he and his crew have discovered something bigger and dirtier than ACORN!
Thank you James O’Keefe and cohorts. Stay safe!
Report Post »icareabouttheusa
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:47pmThank you James! You are my hero!
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 4:51pmIts time NPR open its books .
Report Post »We need to know WHO it’s ANONYMOUS DONORS have been and WHAT exactly the NPR/PBS did for those “ donors ” ?
NPR sounds to be selling itself as being an easy hookr, with a price and a price list for ANYTHING the client wants .
Can NPR be investigated under RICO now ? They seem to be money-laundering with no fear
cheezwhiz
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:10pmSo when the governemt audits NPR, they are not interested to know where their millions of dollars are coming from and where they are going .
Report Post »But the IRS is interested in every $ 200 business lunch I have with my own business partners ?
I have to save toll receipts but IRS doesn’t care about millions being laundered by NPR ?
sleazyhippo
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:18pmBottom Line – No More NPR! Needs to go Private – permanently!
Report Post »Journeywoman
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:21pmMaybe he can go after the UAW next. Now those are some books I’d like to see opened.
Report Post »I just got my new issue of “Solidarity” and the GLOBAL ORGANIZING INSTITUTE caught my eye (workers of the world unite). I’ll look into it and report back later.
I‘ve been reading the articles on here since its’ inception but I don’t get to reply because I download them and take them to work.
There are intelligent union workers out there, not just lemmings. I’ve been a tea-party member from the start. And if someone out there can figure out a way to get around letting them take my dues for political activism and things like the GOI, I’d sure like to hear it. Time to drain THIS political slush fund.
CatB
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:43pmBye Bye Betsy
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:47pmThis is brilliant stuff and it is reporting that the major 3 networks should have been doing for years. Expose the roaches to the light and they scatter.
Report Post »Marcia
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:49pmBrilliant and SO much more fun than the old 60 Minutes stings! Keep it up James!!!
Report Post »Templar Knight
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 5:49pmIf only there were more journalists in the fringe media like O’Keefe. Perhaps then the media would actually redeem itself and be informative again. But I won’t hold my breath for that to happen.
Report Post »Awakened One
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 6:05pmDoesn‘t it make you wonder how much ’shielding’ goes on. I’m shocked, shocked….
Report Post »roadie5
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 6:49pmIndeed he is!
Report Post »kcSnoWhitePATRIOT
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 6:55pmI agree BRILLIANT!! Betsy Liley on the other hand…Not so much! I would LOVE to see HER FACE when she gets canned (and also when the “Spooky Dude” hears how many times HIS name was mentioned!)… It’s a 44 min. convo but TOTALLY worth the listen!!
Mr. O’Keefe! You RAWK Dude!!!!! Seriously!
Report Post »tesla V
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 6:55pmI agree.The following are geniuses of the past millenia in no particular order:
Report Post »Isaac Newton
Thomas Edison
William Shakespeare
Albert Einstein
Lev Tolstoy
James O’Keefe
Boojer56
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 7:01pmWow, Hook, line, and Sinker
Report Post »jginmt
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 7:08pmIf you like his work go to his web site and donate. What a bargain he did this story for only $2,000. Please send him money, who know what he will come up with next.
Report Post »1959
Posted on March 10, 2011 at 7:45pmThank you James. I‘m lovin’ it!
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