The philosopher Eric Hoffer famously noted that alleged grassroots movements: “What starts out here [in America] as a mass movement ends up as a racket, a cult, or a corporation.
Based on recent comments, even in progressive circles, Black Lives Matter may come under a racket.
California’s Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced that BLM leaders have 60 days to explain what happened to $60 million, or he will hold them personally liable.
In a letter issued Monday, Bonta explained that he seeks the organization’s Form 990, which details how nonprofits spend their contributions, as well as other records for 2020.
“An organization that is delinquent, suspended or revoked is not in good standing and is prohibited from engaging in conduct for which registration is required, including soliciting or disbursing charitable funds,” Bonta’s letter to BLM said.
If BLM does not comply, it could lose its tax-exempt status, which could subject the group to federal and state taxes. And its corporate officers could be held personally responsible for late fees and other fines for not complying.
And Bonta warned them that BLM’s contributions could not be used to pay such costs.
The Washington Examiner noted that Bonta issued the letter just days after it reported that the controlling hand over BLM’s fortune is unknown. “BLM has had no known leader in charge of its millions since its co-founder resigned in May and … the Los Angeles address it lists on its tax forms is wrong,” the Examiner reported Tuesday.
The Examiner also pointed out that Washington state has “ordered the charity to ‘immediately cease’ fundraising in the liberal state due to its lack of financial transparency.”
Documents indicate that in 2020 BLM raised $90 million. Of that, it spent $8.4 million and handed out $21.7 million in grants to 33 other groups.
What happened to the other $60 million is anyone’s guess.
The Examiner quoted CharityWatch Executive Director Laurie Styron, who observed that BLM is “like a giant ghost ship full of treasure drifting in the night with no captain, no discernible crew, and no clear direction.”
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BLM is a scam. Most of the funds have been misused and not reported correctly. Nail all the BLM con artists with felony fraud charges. FJB