Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has filed a lawsuit against the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation.
Rokita’s office began investigating the organization’s donations in February and announced the lawsuit on Thursday.
Advertisement – story continues below
According to a press release, the Office of the Attorney General is seeking an order requiring BLM to respond to a Civil Investigative Demand that was issued to the organization.
“Protecting Indiana consumers from this house of cards is critical,” said Attorney General Rokita. “There are concerning patterns of behavior from this organization, and we will do what it takes—including this lawsuit—to get to the bottom of it.”
Rokita’s office said that “in a 2020 report published by BLM, the organization stated it raised over $90 million in 2020, while it distributed approximately $21.7 million to 30 local organizations and affiliated chapters, including an affiliated chapter in South Bend, Indiana.? However, an IRS filing by BLM for the first half of 2020 listed the organization had $0 in revenue, expenses, and assets held by BLM for the time period.”
“Attorney General Rokita issued a Civil Investigative Demand to BLM in order to determine if the organization’s actions constitute a violation of either the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act or the Indiana Nonprofit Corporation Act.? The Civil Investigative Demand seeks information and documents held by the entity relevant to the ongoing investigation to ensure transparency to donors and guarantee funds donated by Indiana residents are used for their intended purpose and not for the personal benefit of BLM directors,” the press release explained.
Advertisement – story continues below
Failing to comply with the demand could mean that the organization would be barred from fundraising in the state.
“There are many Indiana stakeholders and donors who have been impacted by these allegations. This lawsuit will allow for a court to swiftly and efficiently resolve the state’s request for information,” said Attorney General Rokita.
Hoosier donors who believe they have been impacted are encouraged to file a consumer complaint at www.indianaconsumer.com.
Source material can be found at this site.