Political | Process

The leaders of the Black Lives Matters organization allegedly laid out a whopping $6 million that was donated to the activist group to buy a 6,500-square foot Southern California mansion, according to published reports.

News of the 2020 purchase was first reported by New York Magazine on Monday, as the organization allegedly hoped to keep the house’s existence a secret – despite three of its former leaders reportedly filming a series of videos dining and drinking Champagne outside the estate last spring.

It’s unclear exactly where the opulent property is located because it is hidden behind an LLC purchase. But according to New York Magazine, it boasts more than half-dozen bedrooms and bathrooms, multiple fireplaces, a soundstage, a pool and bungalow and parking for more than 20 cars. 

The news comes as the foundation continues to face federal scrutiny for the alleged misuse of donated funds – and comes on the heels of widespread criticism for BLM’s co-founder Patrisse Cullors, who resigned last May in the wake of revelations she had spent millions on a slew of lavish homes.

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.