Conservative Journalists Assaulted on Skid Row After Exposing 'Cash for Ballots' Scheme

James O'Keefe and his team were attacked while investigating illegal voter registration tactics in Los Angeles

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:08am

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Conservative journalists James O'Keefe, Cam Higby, and their team were violently assaulted on Skid Row in Los Angeles while investigating an alleged 'cash for ballots' scheme. The journalists went undercover posing as homeless individuals and captured footage of petitioners illegally offering cash, cigarettes, and drugs in exchange for signatures on election petitions. When their cover was blown, the O'Keefe team was punched, pepper sprayed, and forced to flee the area, though they escaped without serious injuries.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the risks journalists face when investigating potential election fraud, as well as the broader concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. The alleged 'cash for ballots' scheme on Skid Row raises questions about voter registration tactics and the vulnerability of marginalized populations to exploitation.

The details

According to the footage shared by O'Keefe, petitioners were caught on camera admitting to illegally offering cash, cigarettes, and drugs in exchange for signatures on election petitions and voter registration forms. The petitioners were working for a political consulting firm called Populus Inc., which was circulating petitions funded by companies like Uber, Delta, United, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association. When confronted, nearby LAPD officers dismissed the activity as a 'civil lawsuit' rather than potential criminal election fraud.

  • The incident occurred on Friday, March 20, 2026.

The players

James O'Keefe

A conservative journalist and founder of the investigative journalism organization Project Veritas.

Cam Higby

A member of O'Keefe's team who was also assaulted during the incident.

Populus Inc.

A political consulting firm that was circulating petitions funded by companies like Uber, Delta, United, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

LAPD

The Los Angeles Police Department, whose officers dismissed the alleged election fraud activity as a 'civil lawsuit'.

Bill Essayli

A U.S. Attorney who vowed to prosecute those involved in illegal, fraudulent election schemes.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Bill Essayli, U.S. Attorney

“My team, myself & @camhigby were just violently assaulted on Skid Row, my camera crew were punched in the neck and face, we were pepper sprayed, but thankfully just escaped. Some members of our team had to run 10 blocks to get out.”

— James O'Keefe

What’s next

The U.S. Attorney's office has vowed to aggressively pursue anyone involved in violating federal election laws, and Part II of O'Keefe's investigation is expected to be released soon.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the challenges journalists face in exposing potential election fraud, as well as the need for robust safeguards and oversight to protect the integrity of the electoral process, especially for vulnerable populations like the homeless.