INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita filed a lawsuit this week against the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation.
Rokita’s office announced the lawsuit on Thursday which is part of his ongoing investigation into the organization’s use of donations.
The investigation opened in February from Rokita’s office. In a press release, the office states the legal action, known as a petition to enforce a civil investigation demand, seeks compliance with an investigative demand previously served to BLM.
Rokita’s office said a 2020 report from the BLM organization stated it raised more than $90 million during the year, while it distributed approximately $21.7 million to 30 local organizations and affiliated chapters. This includes a chapter of BLM in South Bend.
The office notes, despite the report from BLM, an IRS filing from the organization from 2020 shows the organization had $0 in revenue, expenses and assets from the time period.
“Protecting Indiana consumers from this house of cards is critical,” Rokita said in a release. “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.”
“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 said.
The BLM Global Network Foundation shared the following statement with WRTV on Thursday:
"Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) was not in receipt of the request from Indiana until after the Indiana Attorney General's formal court filing. BLMGNF is now aware of that request and is working with counsel to address the matter immediately."
The Indiana Democratic Party released the following statement in response to the lawsuit:
“Todd Rokita’s lawsuit against Black Lives Matter has little to do with the law itself and more to do with a national partisan agenda. If Rokita really did care about the rule of law, he wouldn’t have supported the Indiana GOP’s effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election AND he would hold Republican leaders accountable for breaking election laws – neither of which have happened. Rokita consistently shows the Indiana GOP has no plan for the state’s future — just partisanship.”
-
Three shot, two in critical condition on eastside of Indianapolis
Two people are in critical condition, and another is in stable condition following a shooting on the east side Wednesday afternoon, said the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police.
Indiana State Police solve 53-year-old murder case
The Indiana State Police Cold Case Unit has identified the killer in the murder of the 1972 killing of 26-year-old Phyllis Bailer.
Target baby food recalled over lead contamination
A company that makes baby food for Target is recalling more than 25,000 packages of a product because it may contain elevated levels of lead.
Juvenile sentenced to 15 years for fatally shooting intruder on family property
In a case highlighting the complexities of Indiana's self-defense laws, a17-year-old has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for fatally shooting a man searching through his mother's vehicle.
