Justice Department probes Black Lives Matter foundation for misuse of donations, source says.
The US Justice Department is investigating whether the national Black Lives Matter foundation misused millions of dollars in donations during a surge in gifts following nationwide racial justice protests last summer. According to a source familiar with the investigation, an inquiry has been launched into how the organization's leadership handled the influx of funds.
Critics have long accused the group of lacking transparency regarding its spending habits. The controversy reached a boiling point when more than $6 million was used to purchase a house in Los Angeles. In response, the group claimed that the property served as a safe space for Black creatives and artists.
The foundation raised over $90 million in 2020 and boasts an impressive $28 million in assets as of June this year, according to recent financial disclosures. However, it is unclear when the investigation was initiated, although it is being handled by the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, which handles cases related to Los Angeles.
Black Lives Matter denied any involvement in a federal criminal investigation, stating that they remain committed to transparency and accountability in managing their resources.
The US Justice Department is investigating whether the national Black Lives Matter foundation misused millions of dollars in donations during a surge in gifts following nationwide racial justice protests last summer. According to a source familiar with the investigation, an inquiry has been launched into how the organization's leadership handled the influx of funds.
Critics have long accused the group of lacking transparency regarding its spending habits. The controversy reached a boiling point when more than $6 million was used to purchase a house in Los Angeles. In response, the group claimed that the property served as a safe space for Black creatives and artists.
The foundation raised over $90 million in 2020 and boasts an impressive $28 million in assets as of June this year, according to recent financial disclosures. However, it is unclear when the investigation was initiated, although it is being handled by the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, which handles cases related to Los Angeles.
Black Lives Matter denied any involvement in a federal criminal investigation, stating that they remain committed to transparency and accountability in managing their resources.
... just feelin like the gov is watchin' their every move and it's kinda sus how much dough BLM got in donations all of a sudden 
they're actin like it's no big deal, but $6 million for a house? that's some serious cash 
what are they really doin with that money? shouldn't be so hard to track down where the funds go right? 
anyway, guess we'll just have to wait and see how this all plays out 
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It sounds like a lot of money could've been used for so much more.
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And what's the deal with them saying it's a safe space? Sounds like a legit excuse to me 
. As a student, I've seen my school try to be transparent about their funds too, and it's always good to know where our money is going 
. But I'm glad BLM is speaking up about accountability – that's something we can all get behind 
!