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.”
-
Team Penske locks out Indy 500 front row qualifying
For more than a month, Will Power has all but guaranteed that Team Penske would win the pole for the Indianapolis 500.Team Penske dominates first day of Indy 500 qualifying
eam Penske swept the top three spots in qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 on Saturday, with Will Power at the top of the list.Pacers beat Knicks 130-109 in Game 7 to reach Eastern Conference finals
The Pacers had a shooting percentage of 76.3% in the first half, which is the highest in the postseason since 1997, when the NBA began keeping detailed play-by-play for all four quarters.Historic Stutz building holds 2nd annual block party
The free block party showcased newly opened stores and restaurants, live art demos and more at the Stutz.