The O’Keefe Media Group on Tuesday released part one of an undercover investigation alleging a cash-for-signatures scheme tied to petitions and voter registration efforts in Los Angeles, California.

The investigation, conducted by James O’Keefe and his team, involved reporters posing as homeless individuals on Skid Row.

According to the group, undercover journalists documented interactions with individuals described as “petitioners,” who were collecting signatures for various ballot-related efforts.

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During those encounters, the petitioners told the undercover reporters they were paid between $7 and $10 per signature, with some claiming they could earn as much as $1,000 in a single day.

The footage released by O’Keefe Media Group included multiple interactions in which petitioners allegedly offered incentives in exchange for signatures.

In a statement accompanying the video, the group said, “California NGOs Encourage Fake Addresses To Homeless People To Sign Petitions & Register Voters, A State & Federal Felony. Footage Shows 28 Instances Of Cash Changing Hands For Ballot Signatures & Voter Registration Forms.”

The report also stated that many individuals collecting signatures did not appear to understand the content of the petitions they were promoting.

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“Many of the petitioners had no understanding of the petitions’ purpose they were advertising. Circulators also instructed individuals to use fake addresses. “Oh, you can just fake an address.””

The investigation further alleged that a Los Angeles-based organization was connected to the activity.

According to O’Keefe Media Group, “Weingart Center, which received hundreds of millions in public funding, is on tape directing people to where the fraudulent petitioners are located, and directing homeless individuals to petitioners & coaching plausible deniability.”

The group also reported that its journalists observed “28 instances of petitioners offering cash, cigarettes, and marijuana for signatures on petitions.”

During one of the recorded interactions, a Weingart Center employee made a statement about knowledge of the activity.

“See they say ignorance is no excuse for the law. But a lot of times, I have to say ‘I didn’t know, I had no idea,’” the employee said to an undercover journalist.

CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS FRAUD CASH FOR BALLOTS PART I: Homeless Bribed with Cash & Drugs In Exchange For Registering To Vote & Signing Election Petitions Caught On Tape Undercover On Skid Row In California.

“You can just put Pinocchio Lane.”

California NGOs Encourage Fake… pic.twitter.com/2pkylhgPY9

— James O’Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) March 17, 2026

The allegations prompted a response from U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, who addressed the legal implications of the conduct described in the video.

“Under 52 U.S.C. § 10307(c), it is a federal crime to provide false information on a voter registration form or to offer payment to complete a voter registration form,” Essayli said.

He also indicated that enforcement of election laws would be a priority.

“While longstanding DOJ policy prevents me from discussing specific investigations, I want to assure the public that this DOJ, under the leadership of @AGPamBondi, will aggressively pursue anyone and everyone involved in violating federal election laws,” Essayli said.

Nothing is more important than the integrity of our elections. The conduct and allegations captured on video undermine confidence in our election system here in California.

Under 52 U.S.C. § 10307(c), it is a federal crime to provide false information on a voter registration… https://t.co/aXEyk1r903

— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) March 17, 2026

Officials at multiple levels of government have acknowledged awareness of the investigation.

According to the report, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman, the California Secretary of State’s office, and Governor Gavin Newsom have all confirmed they are aware of the undercover footage released by O’Keefe Media Group.

A spokesperson for Governor Newsom addressed the allegations in a statement provided to James O’Keefe.

“This alleged activity is a felony in California. Anyone caught engaging in this activity should be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the spokesperson said.

The investigation centers on activities in Los Angeles, particularly in the Skid Row area, where O’Keefe Media Group said its journalists conducted the undercover operation.

The video released Tuesday is described as the first installment of a larger series examining the alleged scheme.

The claims outlined in the footage have raised questions about compliance with election laws governing voter registration and petition signature gathering, both of which are regulated under state and federal statutes.

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