Update 04/05/2022 4:43pm:

Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors took to Instagram to address a report from New York Magazine, which laid out the organization purchasing a 6,500-square-foot Southern California mansion for $6 million with funds from the organization. 

Cullors called the article "a despicable abuse of a platform that’s intended to provide truthful information to the public." She also confirmed that BLM bought the property, writing, "The property the reporter addressed was purchased in 2020 as a space where those within the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) and broader movement community could work, create content, host meetings and foster creativity." 

Patrisse went on to state, "Although I cannot speak to how BLMGNF uses the property currently as I left the organization last year in May, it was purchased to be a safe space for Black people in the community. The reason it wasn’t announced prior is not nefarious as the headline infers, the property needed repairs and renovation." 

In her statement, Patrisse denied claims that funds were misappropriated while holding a leadership role at BLM. She closed her statement by writing, "I admittedly have not always responded and I know my silence has contributed to doubt. I apologize if it has caused you harm of any kind. But I’m asking you all to understand the enormous pressure and fear that comes with living under the constant threat of white supremacist terror and real threats on my life and those of people I love. But I’m no longer letting fear hold me back from calling out these attacks." 

Original 04/05/2022 2:31am:

According to reports, the leaders of the Black Lives Matter organization used funds donated to the activist group to buy a 6,500-square foot Southern California mansion for $6 million. 

The story broke on Monday by New York Magazine lays out the 2020 purchase of the mansion and how the organization's founders wanted to keep it a secret. The publication detailed the property boasts more than half-dozen bedrooms and bathrooms, multiple fireplaces, a soundstage, a pool and bungalow and parking for more than 20 cars. The group's most prominent figures, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and LA faction founder Melina Abdullah are seen in videos filmed inside the mansion. 

Per DailyMail: 

Documents and internal communications reportedly reveal the luxury property was handled in ways that 'blur boundaries' between charitable use and those that would benefit some of the organization's leaders - including Cullors, who shared video in June of her enjoying a ritzy brunch outside the estate with fellow officials Alicia Garza and Melina Abdullah, who have both since left the organization.

The seven-bedroom estate was purchased by a man named Dyane Pascall two weeks after BLM received $66.5 million from its fiscal sponsor in October 2020. Pascall is the financial manager for Janaya and Patrisse Consulting - an LLC operated by Cullors and her spouse, Janaya Khan, New York Magazine reported. Within a week of the purchase, ownership was subsequently transferred to an LLC in Delaware, ensuring the property’s owner wouldn’t be disclosed, the outlet said. It is not yet clear what purpose the manse, reportedly dubbed 'Campus' in internal emails sent by BLM brass, was meant to serve for the foundation.

What it known, though, is that the property was purchased for just under $6 million in cash in October 2020, with money that had been donated to the group. 

Source: Dailymail.co.uk