An anti-police activist who founded a nonprofit organization aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement is facing legal action for allegedly diverting charitable donations for personal use. The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against Brandon Anderson, the executive director of Raheem AI, accusing him of misappropriating $75,000 of nonprofit funds since 2021.
The funds were reportedly used for extravagant expenses, including luxury vacation rentals, personal travel to resorts, designer clothing purchases, and emergency veterinary services. Attorney General Brian Schwalb condemned Anderson's actions, stating that such financial abuses violate nonprofit governance principles and harm both donors and employees.
Raheem AI, established in 2017 to facilitate complaints against police and develop an app for alternative first responders, has come under scrutiny for its financial practices. The organization, operating as Community Response Works, solicited donations to support community crisis responders but allegedly failed to fulfill its obligations to employees and misused funds.
The lawsuit seeks to dissolve Raheem AI as a nonprofit corporation, recover misused funds for charitable purposes, prohibit Anderson from future nonprofit leadership roles, compensate the unpaid employee, and impose penalties for violations of labor laws.
Anderson has refuted the allegations of financial misconduct, but the legal proceedings continue to unfold as authorities investigate the matter.