An investigation published on Monday by France's Mediapart and its partners, including Drop Site News (US), Il Fatto Quotidiano (Italy), and Reporters United (Greece), has uncovered that the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), the world's largest investigative journalism network, is secretly controlled by the US government.  

The report reveals that Washington has provided around half of the organization's funding and has significant sway over its leadership and editorial direction, raising questions about the independence of the network's reporting.  

1) US govt funds more than half of OCCRP budget

Since its founding in 2008, the OCCRP has received at least $47 million from American government sources. This accounts for approximately half of the organization's overall funding, making the US state the largest donor by far.   

The OCCRP's financial dependence on the US government has led to concerns about the potential influence of Washington on the organization's editorial stance, particularly given the US government's strategic interests. 

According to Drew Sullivan, the OCCRP's co-founder and publisher, the US government remains the organization's largest donor, providing crucial financial support for its operations. In an interview with German state broadcaster NDR, Sullivan acknowledged, "I'm very grateful to the US government" for its support.  

While OCCRP officials insist that government grants come with "impenetrable guardrails" to protect journalistic integrity, critics will argue that such substantial funding creates a structural dependence that could affect editorial independence.  

2) Washington has veto power over OCCRP leadership

In addition to providing substantial funding, the US government also wields significant influence over the OCCRP's leadership. Washington has the right to veto key personnel appointments within the organization, including the nomination of its publisher, Sullivan. Under agreements with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and other government bodies, the OCCRP must submit resumes of potential hires for senior roles to the American government for approval.