Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is suing Black Lives Matter.
“I filed a lawsuit against the Black Lives Matter organization to protect Hoosiers from this house of cards,” Rokita tweeted Thursday.
He added, “BLM has concerning patterns of behavior and we’ll do what it takes to get to the bottom of it on behalf of generous Hoosiers who have donated to them.”
I filed a lawsuit against the Black Lives Matter organization to protect Hoosiers from this house of cards. BLM has concerning patterns of behavior & we’ll do what it takes to get to the bottom of it on behalf of generous Hoosiers who have donated to them.https://t.co/5U2lJtU7cO
— Todd Rokita (@AGToddRokita) April 28, 2022
In February, Rokita opened an investigation into the way the organization is using funds.
The attorney general’s office noted 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.”
It explained, “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.”
Rokita’s Civil Investigative Demand to BLM seeks to determine if the organization’s handling of the funds violate either the Indiana Deceptive Consumer Sales Act or the Indiana Nonprofit Corporation Act.
It is also looking for information and documents 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.”
According to the attorney general’s office, failure to comply with the demand could lead to sanctions against the organization, including prohibiting it from fundraising in the state in the future.
“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,” Rokita said.
Earlier this month, the organization received criticism over a $6 million house used by its leadership, as Fox News reported.
The building was reportedly purchased in October 2020 with funds donated to Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation.
An internal BLM memo said, “Our angle — needs to be to deflate ownership of the property,” after the organization was asked about the house by New York Magazine,” as the outlet reported.
It continued, “Can we kill the story?”
