WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has embarked on an investigation into the Black Lives Matter movement to determine if its leaders have defrauded donors who contributed tens of millions of dollars during the racial justice protests in 2020, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation. Recent weeks have seen federal officials issue subpoenas and conduct at least one search warrant as part of this scrutiny into the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Inc. and associated organizations celebrated for igniting a national dialogue on systemic racism. Sources not authorized to discuss this ongoing criminal investigation spoke with The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
While it remains uncertain if this inquiry will lead to criminal charges, its very presence injects renewed skepticism into the movement, which has faced increasing scrutiny over its handling of donations in recent years. The renewed investigative momentum is occurring simultaneously with civil rights groups' concerns about the potential targeting by the Trump administration of various progressive organizations that have voiced criticism, including those associated with BLM.
Spokespeople for the Justice Department declined to comment on these developments. Allegations examined by the Biden administration initially led to this investigation, but it is receiving fresh attention under the current administration, with reports indicating that leaders of the foundation have received subpoenas for their involvement.
The Black Lives Matter foundation revealed that it raised over $90 million in donations following George Floyd's death, which incited protests across the nation and globally. However, many critics argue that the organization has not been sufficiently transparent about how these funds have been utilized, especially after it was disclosed that leaders used donations for the purchase of a multi-million dollar property.
While the foundation has publicly denied any wrongdoing and released tax documents, no prior inquiries into its finances have produced concrete evidence of impropriety. Nonetheless, the foundation affirmed that it has been cooperating with the investigation and reiterated its commitment to transparency and responsible governance of resources dedicated to uplifting Black communities.
The investigation is housed within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, in Los Angeles, with the lead prosecutor, Bill Essayli, facing disqualification from various cases due to legal time restrictions. The impact of this disqualification on the BLM investigation remains to be seen.
The Black Lives Matter movement, which first emerged in 2013, gained significant traction after two major incidents— the murder of Trayvon Martin in Florida and the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown by police in Missouri, prompting the movement to be a focal point in discussions on racial justice and inequity in America.
While it remains uncertain if this inquiry will lead to criminal charges, its very presence injects renewed skepticism into the movement, which has faced increasing scrutiny over its handling of donations in recent years. The renewed investigative momentum is occurring simultaneously with civil rights groups' concerns about the potential targeting by the Trump administration of various progressive organizations that have voiced criticism, including those associated with BLM.
Spokespeople for the Justice Department declined to comment on these developments. Allegations examined by the Biden administration initially led to this investigation, but it is receiving fresh attention under the current administration, with reports indicating that leaders of the foundation have received subpoenas for their involvement.
The Black Lives Matter foundation revealed that it raised over $90 million in donations following George Floyd's death, which incited protests across the nation and globally. However, many critics argue that the organization has not been sufficiently transparent about how these funds have been utilized, especially after it was disclosed that leaders used donations for the purchase of a multi-million dollar property.
While the foundation has publicly denied any wrongdoing and released tax documents, no prior inquiries into its finances have produced concrete evidence of impropriety. Nonetheless, the foundation affirmed that it has been cooperating with the investigation and reiterated its commitment to transparency and responsible governance of resources dedicated to uplifting Black communities.
The investigation is housed within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, in Los Angeles, with the lead prosecutor, Bill Essayli, facing disqualification from various cases due to legal time restrictions. The impact of this disqualification on the BLM investigation remains to be seen.
The Black Lives Matter movement, which first emerged in 2013, gained significant traction after two major incidents— the murder of Trayvon Martin in Florida and the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown by police in Missouri, prompting the movement to be a focal point in discussions on racial justice and inequity in America.
