The Justice Department Has Reportedly Launched a Fraud Investigation Into the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation
The Justice Department has reportedly opened a fraud investigation into the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, the organization that rose to prominence following the 2020 murder of George Floyd. According to The Associated Press, federal officials have issued subpoenas and at least one search warrant as part of the probe into whether leaders misused millions in donations.
The foundation announced in 2020 that it raised more than $90 million, much of it from a surge of donations during the nationwide racial justice movement. But celebrations soon gave way to controversy when reports emerged that the group had purchased a $6 million California property that year.
Former executive director Patrisse Cullors defended the purchase at the time, calling it a milestone for the movement. “It was really important for us to do a number of things — one, get that money to the ground and get those resources to the ground, which we did, but also secure a space like so many other organizations,” Cullors told theGrio in 2021.
Despite publicly releasing tax documents and denying wrongdoing, the foundation continued to face criticism from both the public and within the movement. Black Lives Matter Grassroots Inc., a separate network of city-based chapters, filed a lawsuit accusing the national foundation of exploiting its name, defrauding donors, and excluding activists from leadership decisions. That suit was later dismissed.
Now, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California is reportedly leading the federal inquiry. The investigation began during the Biden administration but has gained renewed attention under the Trump administration, according to multiple sources.
In a statement to theGrio, the BLM Global Network Foundation said it “is not a target of any federal criminal investigation.” The organization added, “We remain committed to full transparency, accountability, and the responsible stewardship of resources dedicated to building a better future for Black communities.”
