Recently, Washington and California stunned the world by ordering the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Global Network Foundation to cease all fundraising operations due to a total absence of financial transparency, according to a new report from the Washington Examiner.
BLM claims that it takes “these matters seriously,” and subsequently took “immediate acton” by ceasing fundraising, though the organization had already been legally ordered to stop doing so.
“We have immediately engaged compliance counsel to address any issues related to state fundraising compliance,” BLM continued earnestly, adding that the group has “shut down online fundraising” while they attempt to meet all compliance requirements.
According to the Washington Examiner, BLM shut down all fundraising on Wednesday night, and a donation button that was “featured prominently” on the group’s webpage is completely absent.
BLM apparently failed to submit annual reports for the 2020 tax year, which is a requirement for charities. After the group declined to follow the law regarding charitable contribution reporting, Washington and California ordered the organization to stop seeking donations.
Earlier this week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta dispatched a formal delinquency notice to the group, as reported by the New York Post. Bonta noted that the group has up to 60 days to file appropriate tax and charity documents for 2020.
If BLM fails to comply, it faces the possibility of losing its tax-exempt status, and it will also be subject to various late fees.
In addition, the Washington secretary of state corporations and charities division also sent a letter to BLM on January 5, which commanded them to “immediately cease” fundraising across the state due to the organization’s absence of financial transparency with the public.
“Please note that a violation of the Act is also a violation of the consumer Protection Act,” the letter said sternly, adding that any entity “[found] in violation of the Act and CPA will be reported to the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division for further action.”
Aside from Washington and California, BLM is apparently out of compliance in Virginia, North Carolina, New Mexico, New Jersey, Maryland, Maine, and Connecticut.
Currently, it is unknown who controls BLM’s $60M war chest, as the organization has not had an executive director since Patrisse Cullors abruptly resigned in May after weeks of criticism regarding her recently acquired, multimillion dollar real estate portfolio.
In addition, BLM was also recently linked to the purchase of a mansion in Canada, which previously served as the headquarters for the Communist Party of Canada.
BLM reportedly raised over $90M in 2020.