Unmasking OCCRP: Investigative Giant or U.S. Government Tool?

The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) is the world’s largest consortium of investigative journalists, recognized for its role in exposing corruption, organized crime, and financial misconduct globally. Since its establishment in 2006, OCCRP has partnered with prestigious media outlets like The Guardian, Le Monde, and The New York Times, contributing to landmark investigations such as the Panama Papers, Cyprus Confidential, and the Russian Asset Tracker. Despite its achievements, the organization operates under a cloud of controversy due to its structural reliance on U.S. government funding.

OCCRP’s co-founder and publisher, Drew Sullivan, plays a pivotal role in the organization. A veteran journalist, Sullivan has built OCCRP into the world’s largest investigative journalism consortium, renowned for cross-border collaboration and impactful reporting. However, his tenure has not been without controversy. Under Sullivan’s leadership, OCCRP’s heavy reliance on U.S. funding has raised ethical concerns, with critics arguing that this dependence undermines the organization’s independence and credibility. While Sullivan staunchly defends OCCRP’s editorial autonomy, revelations about the influence of external funding on its operations have sparked debates about transparency and accountability within the organization.

Mediapart’s Investigation: A Spotlight on Transparency and Independence

Mediapart, in collaboration with German broadcaster NDR and other international outlets, conducted a detailed investigation into OCCRP’s funding and its connections to the U.S. government. The findings reveal troubling aspects of OCCRP’s operations that raise questions about its transparency and independence.

Key Revelations:

1. U.S. Funding and Conditions:

o The U.S. government provides approximately half of OCCRP’s budget through entities like the Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
o Some grants specifically target investigations into U.S. adversaries, such as Russia and Venezuela, while prohibiting investigations into U.S. interests.

2. Right of Veto Over Key Personnel:

o U.S. funding agreements grant veto power over the appointment of OCCRP’s key personnel, including senior editorial roles, raising concerns about external influence on its leadership.

3. Secrecy and Opaque Practices:

o OCCRP has been accused of failing to disclose the extent of its ties to the U.S. government, even to its partner media organizations, undermining trust in its independence.

OCCRP’s Connection to the U.S. Government

OCCRP was initially funded through covert support from the INL, with financial oversight transferred to USAID to mask the origins of the funding. This close relationship has positioned OCCRP as an instrument aligned with U.S. foreign policy objectives. While OCCRP defends its editorial independence, the investigation highlights instances where U.S. influence shapes the organization’s operations, both directly and indirectly.

U.S.-Focused Initiatives:

• Targeted Funding: Grants aimed at investigations into adversaries like Russia and Venezuela align with U.S. geopolitical priorities.

• Strategic Projects: The Global Anti-Corruption Consortium (GACC), a partnership between OCCRP and Transparency International, has been used to encourage judicial actions and sanctions against corruption in countries of interest to the U.S.

Case Highlights from the Investigation

Russia: Investigating Corruption and Assets

OCCRP has been at the forefront of uncovering Russian corruption. For instance, its Russian Asset Tracker created the largest non-governmental database of oligarchs’ assets. This aligns with U.S. sanctions policies, as Washington seeks to expose and penalize Russian elites linked to the Kremlin.

Venezuela: Exposing Corruption

Grants earmarked for Venezuela have funded investigations into corruption under Nicolás Maduro’s regime. OCCRP’s findings have bolstered U.S. efforts to isolate Venezuela diplomatically and economically.

Cyprus: Tracking Financial Crimes

Through projects like Cyprus Confidential, OCCRP has uncovered schemes involving Russian oligarchs and financial institutions. These investigations often lead to tangible consequences, such as judicial inquiries supported by U.S. agencies like the FBI.

Bechtel Scandal: A Missed Opportunity

Despite operating in regions impacted by alleged U.S. corporate misconduct, such as corruption linked to Bechtel, OCCRP has avoided covering such stories due to funding restrictions. The Bechtel case serves as a glaring example of the ethical complexities tied to OCCRP’s funding structure, highlighting its avoidance of investigations into prominent U.S. corporations with substantial global influence. Bechtel, a major American engineering and construction firm, has been implicated in multiple scandals involving corruption, bribery, and mismanagement. These include allegations of overcharging and delays during the Iraq reconstruction efforts, mishandling nuclear energy projects, and its role in the infamous Cochabamba Water War in Bolivia, where skyrocketing water prices after privatization led to widespread protests and violent repression. Despite the significance of such cases, OCCRP has consistently avoided scrutinizing Bechtel, a decision that underscores the influence of U.S. government funding conditions, which reportedly restrict investigations into U.S. interests. This omission not only raises questions about the organization’s independence but also fuels perceptions of double standards, as OCCRP heavily focuses on exposing corruption in non-Western countries while sidestepping similar misconduct tied to U.S.-aligned entities. The absence of accountability for corporations like Bechtel, deeply intertwined with U.S. political and economic systems, undermines OCCRP’s credibility and highlights the broader risks of relying on state-linked funding for investigative journalism.

Implications for Investigative Journalism

The Mediapart investigation brings to light several ethical and operational challenges for OCCRP and investigative journalism at large:

1. Threats to Independence:

o Heavy reliance on state funding creates vulnerabilities, compromising the perception of independence and risking accusations of bias.

2. Transparency as a Cornerstone:

o Without full disclosure of funding sources and their conditions, even the most impactful journalism can face questions of credibility.

3. Weaponization of Journalism:

o The alignment of investigative efforts with geopolitical goals risks turning journalism into a tool of statecraft, rather than a check on power.

Conclusion

Mediapart’s investigation into OCCRP highlights the tension between the ideals of investigative journalism—independence, transparency, and accountability—and the realities of funding such operations. While OCCRP’s achievements are laudable, its deep ties to U.S. government funding raise serious questions about the impartiality of its reporting.

For investigative journalism to maintain its role as a watchdog, organizations like OCCRP must address these concerns by ensuring greater transparency and reducing reliance on state funding. As the media landscape becomes increasingly polarized, protecting the credibility and independence of journalism is more critical than ever.