Indiana AG Sues BLM Over ‘Concerning Patterns Of Behavior’

On Thursday, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita announced that he had filed a lawsuit against the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLM), due to “concerning patterns of behavior.”

“Protecting Indiana consumers from this house of cards is critical,” said 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.”

The lawsuit specifically focused on allegations over the misuse of donations by BLM.

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 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,” Rokita’s office said in a press release. “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 press release added. “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.”

Under the state’s current law, failure to comply with the investigation could result in BLM being barred from future fundraising in Indiana.

“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.