(MENAFN) The US Justice Department has launched an investigation into whether leaders linked to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement misused funds and defrauded donors, according to reports citing individuals familiar with the matter.

The BLM movement gained global attention in 2020 during the nationwide protests and riots that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Supporters of the group have long advocated for “racial justice” and the movement to “defund” police departments across the United States.

As reported, federal investigators have issued subpoenas and at least one search warrant as part of a probe focusing on the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation and “other black-led organizations.”

In response, the foundation stated that it is “not a target of any federal criminal investigation” and remains “committed to full transparency, accountability, and the responsible stewardship of resources dedicated to building a better future for black communities.”

The group’s co-founder, Patrisse Cullors, stepped down in 2021 after reports surfaced that she had purchased a $1.4 million luxury home near Malibu, in addition to several other “high-end” properties. Cullors described the allegations as “right-wing attacks” designed to discredit her.

The following year, reports revealed that the foundation had spent $6 million on a California property with “more than half a dozen bedrooms and bathrooms.” The organization explained that the estate was intended to host fellows from a program supporting black artists and influencers.

In other cases, Sir Maejor Page, the former head of Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta, was sentenced in October 2024 to 42 months in prison for using charity funds to purchase a home, cover hotel expenses, and buy personal items. Similarly, in September 2025, activist Monica Cannon-Grant pleaded guilty to defrauding donors through her Violence in Boston (VIB) charity and misappropriating pandemic relief funds.

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