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The attorneys general of California and Washington have an obligation to investigate and penalize Black Lives Matter for its "flagrant" violations of state law, according to a pair of legal complaints submitted Friday by a conservative watchdog group.

The Washington Examiner's investigation into the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, the legal entity that represents the national BLM movement, which exposed the charity's lack of financial transparency surrounding its $60 million bankroll and its refusal to disclose who has been in charge of the group since May, is cited extensively in the two complaints filed with the attorneys general of the liberal states Friday by the National Legal and Policy Center.

"The total lack of transparency and accountability for such a highly visible and well-funded organization is alarming and justifiably criticized by Black leaders at the local level," the complaints state. "It is incumbent on the Attorney General to launch a full investigation of [Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation's] finances and governance and to impose appropriate fines and penalties, including possible criminal prosecution."

Black Lives Matter shouts down fundraising days after liberal states threatened legal action

California and Washington both warned BLM in January to stop soliciting contributions from citizens of their states until the group forks over information about its finances in 2020, the year in which the group raked in millions of dollars during the nationwide social unrest that followed George Floyd's killing. But the charity continued to solicit contributions from citizens of the two states despite the warnings, the Washington Examiner previously reported.

BLM said it voluntarily shut down its online fundraising operations while it works with compliance counsel to get back into good standing with the states, but NLPC counsel Paul Kamenar said the damage has already been done.

"While it appears that BLMGNF has finally shut down its unlawful fundraising activities, they are still liable for its past flagrant reporting violations," Kamenar said in a statement.

"Our formal complaints filed today with the Attorneys General of California and Washington, who have ordered the group to cease its fundraising, demand a full investigation and audit of this group, and possible criminal sanctions," he added.

BLM'S MILLIONS UNACCOUNTED FOR AFTER LEADERS QUIETLY JUMPED SHIP

BLM is also out of compliance in Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Virginia due to its failure to report its 2020 finances, which were due to the IRS on Nov. 15.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita previously told the Washington Examiner that BLM's refusal to answer basic questions about its finances fits a common and disturbing pattern.

"It appears that the house of cards may be falling, and this happens eventually with nearly every scam, scheme, or illegal enterprise," Rokita, a Republican, said in an interview. "I see patterns that scams kind of universally take: failure to provide board members, failure to provide even executive directors, failure to make your filings available. It all leads to suspicion."

Rokita said he would not confirm or deny whether his office is investigating BLM, but he said the Washington Examiner's reporting on the group "certainly cause us to be concerned."

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BLM did not return a request for comment.

Original Location: California and Washington have obligation to investigate BLM's 'flagrant' violations, watchdog charges in legal complaints

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