A number of GOP attorneys general are looking into recent actions by GoFundMe that they believe may constitute fraud after the platform initially said it would distribute donations for Canadian "Freedom Convoy" truckers to other groups.
The platform has since backed off that intention as truckers continue to protest Canada's asinine COVID-19 vaccine mandate in Ottawa, the country's capital, but GOP attorneys general are still going forward with plans to probe the platform to see if they are engaged in any illegal activity.
"Several Republican Attorney Generals from across the U.S. have already publicly announced that their offices will be looking into whether GoFundMe violated any state laws in response to the fundraising website canceling a fundraiser for Canadian truckers and initially stating that they would send the funds to other charities," The Daily Wire reported.
The platform canceled the fundraiser for the truckers after it had garnered more than C$10 million.
Initially, the platform announced, in part:
Organizers provided a clear distribution plan for the initial $1M that was released earlier this week and confirmed funds would be used only for participants who traveled to Ottawa to participate in a peaceful protest. Given how this situation has evolved, no further funds will be directly distributed to the Freedom Convoy organizers — we will work with organizers to send all remaining funds to credible and established charities verified by GoFundMe.
Later, the platform issued a statement reversing course and citing "donor feedback":
To simplify the process for our users, we will be refunding all donations to the Freedom Convoy 2022 fundraiser. This refund will happen automatically—you do not need to submit a request. Donors can expect to see refunds within 7-10 business days.
The update we issued earlier enabled all donors to get a refund and outlined a plan to distribute remaining funds to verified charities selected by the Freedom Convoy organizers. However, due to donor feedback, we are simplifying the process and automatically refunding donations.
But those actions garnered the attention of several Republican attorneys general who vowed to look into the matter to see if GoFundMe broke laws or committed any acts of fraud.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt wrote on Twitter: "[flashing red light emoji] It’s totally unacceptable for @gofundme to siphon over $9M in donations sent to support #TruckersForFreedom2020 & funnel it to causes it supports. I will be investigating these deceptive practices. Donors should be given a refund.#TruckersConvoy2022 #TruckersForFreedom.”
?It’s totally unacceptable for @gofundme to siphon over $9M in donations sent to support #TruckersForFreedom2020 & funnel it to causes it supports.
I will be investigating these deceptive practices. Donors should be given a refund.#TruckersConvoy2022 #TruckersForFreedom
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) February 5, 2022
"In [West Virginia], organizations must not deceive donors and engage in deceptive advertising practices,” Attorney General Patrick Morrisey tweeted on Friday night. “If you’ve been victimized by a deceptive act or practice, let us know!”
#GoFundMe now won’t honor #FreedomConvoy donations and will instead redirect to other charities?
In WV, organizations must not deceive donors and engage in deceptive advertising practices.
If you’ve been victimized by a deceptive act or practice, let us know!
— Patrick Morrisey (@MorriseyWV) February 5, 2022
"Did you donate to the #FreedomConvoy through #GoFundMe? If you are an Ohioan, I want to hear from you!" Ohio's GOP AG Dave Yost tweeted as well, along with a link to a state government website where donors could file a complaint.
Did you donate to the #FreedomConvoy through #GoFundMe?
If you are an Ohioan, I want to hear from you! You can file a complaint here: https://t.co/4Y1H52rPis
Freedom Convoy: GoFundMe seizes funds of Canada 'occupation' - BBC News https://t.co/SMLkOI6936
— Attorney General Dave Yost (@DaveYostOH) February 5, 2022
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry responded: “I share the concerns of @WestVirginiaAG . My office will be looking into whether or not #GoFundMe violated our state law. If you are a Louisiana donor to the #FreedomConvoy, please contact my #ConsumerProtection Section! #lagov”
I share the concerns of @WestVirginiaAG. My office will be looking into whether or not #GoFundMe violated our state law. If you are a Louisiana donor to the #FreedomConvoy, please contact my #ConsumerProtection Section! #lagov https://t.co/lwCAvsbLrY
— AG Jeff Landry (@AGJeffLandry) February 5, 2022
Left-wing Democratic AGs go after conservatives all the time -- as we see with prosecutors in Atlanta, Ga., and New York State going after Donald Trump for the 'crime' have having been a president they didn't like. So it's good to see a little legal payback for a change.
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