Federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into whether tens of millions of dollars raised around the 2020 racial-justice protests by entities tied to the Black Lives Matter movement were misused, according to multiple reports. Subpoenas have been issued, and at least one search warrant has been executed as part of the inquiry, according to various sources.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is conducting the probe for the Central District of California, which has sought records related to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) and its affiliated organizations. Reporting indicates that the investigation began under the Biden administration and has continued under the current leadership of the Justice Department. BLMGNF has publicly denied being the target of a federal criminal probe.
Some outlets have framed the inquiry as focusing on “senior leaders,” referencing BLM’s 2020 haul, widely reported to exceed $90 million, and subsequent controversies over spending and governance. However, official documents reviewed by reporters have not been made public, and not all reports name specific individuals. Co-founder Patrisse Khan-Cullors stepped down from BLMGNF leadership in 2021 and has previously rejected allegations of personal enrichment.
The movement’s finances have been scrutinized for years. In 2022, New York Magazine reported that the group had quietly purchased a Los Angeles property for roughly $6 million, intensifying questions about its fiscal controls. Separately, civil litigation over BLM’s transparency has produced mixed outcomes, with at least one lawsuit dismissed by a California judge. These episodes helped fuel calls from supporters and critics alike for a clearer accounting of how donations were spent.
BLMGNF and allies argue that the organization has complied with nonprofit reporting rules and that accusations of a “grift” distort the complexities of fiscal sponsorships, rapid-growth fundraising, and the disbursement of grants to local groups. In recent statements to the press, BLMGNF has reiterated its commitment to transparency and responsible stewardship of donor funds, while disputing claims that a federal probe is targeting the foundation.
