{"id":1273933,"date":"2022-02-05T08:05:57","date_gmt":"2022-02-05T13:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1273933"},"modified":"2022-02-05T13:08:10","modified_gmt":"2022-02-05T18:08:10","slug":"republican-attorneys-general-across-u-s-announce-plans-to-probe-gofundme-for-pulling-freedom-convoy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republican-attorneys-general-across-u-s-announce-plans-to-probe-gofundme-for-pulling-freedom-convoy\/","title":{"rendered":"Republican Attorneys General Across U.S. Announce Plans To Probe GoFundMe For Pulling Freedom Convoy"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Frepublican-attorneys-general-across-u-s-announce-plans-to-probe-gofundme-for-pulling-freedom-convoy%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1273933&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Ashley-Moody-scaled-1-1.jpg\" class=\"ff-og-image-inserted\" alt=\"image\" \/><\/div>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>GoFundMe canceled the Freedom Convoy fundraiser after it had raised approximately C$10 million for the truckers and already distributed C$1 million of the funds.<\/p>\n<p>GoFundMe initially <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/news\/desantis-announces-florida-will-investigate-gofundme-after-company-shut-down-freedom-convoy\">said<\/a> in-part:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>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 \u2014 we will work with organizers to send all remaining funds to credible and established charities verified by GoFundMe.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In a statement, GoFundMe later <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/news\/after-backlash-gofundme-says-it-will-automatically-refund-freedom-convoy-donors\">reversed course<\/a>, citing \u201cdonor feedback\u201d:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>To simplify the process for our users, we will be refunding all donations to the Freedom Convoy 2022 fundraiser. This refund will happen automatically\u2014you do not need to submit a request. Donors can expect to see refunds within 7-10 business days.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>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.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The left-wing company\u2019s actions immediately grabbed the attention of multiple Republican Attorneys General who issued public statements on Friday night and early on Saturday about the matter.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c\ud83d\udea8It\u2019s totally unacceptable for @gofundme to siphon over $9M in donations sent to support #TruckersForFreedom2020 &amp; funnel it to causes it supports,\u201d Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt said. \u201cI will be investigating these deceptive practices. Donors should be given a refund.#TruckersConvoy2022 #TruckersForFreedom.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\udea8It\u2019s totally unacceptable for <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/gofundme?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@gofundme<\/a> to siphon over $9M in donations sent to support <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TruckersForFreedom2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#TruckersForFreedom2020<\/a> &amp; funnel it to causes it supports.<\/p>\n<p>I will be investigating these deceptive practices. Donors should be given a refund.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TruckersConvoy2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#TruckersConvoy2022<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TruckersForFreedom?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#TruckersForFreedom<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Eric_Schmitt\/status\/1490006730448592896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 5, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said that GoFundMe\u2019s decision to reverse course and provide automatic refunds to donors was \u201cnot the end of the story.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI still want to hear from you if you donated,\u201d Yost said to Ohio residents. \u201cThis needs to not happen again! It is deeply troubling to me that a professional fundraiser like #GoFundMe thought they had a right to take donations they are holding in trust and simply \u201credirect\u201d them. We are going to get to the bottom of this.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">It is deeply troubling to me that a professional fundraiser like <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoFundMe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#GoFundMe<\/a> thought they had a right to take donations they are holding in trust and simply \u201credirect\u201d them.<\/p>\n<p>We are going to get to the bottom of this.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Attorney General Dave Yost (@DaveYostOH) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DaveYostOH\/status\/1489968012081913860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 5, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/news\/breaking-west-virginia-attorney-general-slams-gofundme-urges-residents-to-report-deceptive-practices-after-freedom-convoy-page-shut-down\">urged<\/a> residents in his state to contact his office to let him know if they had \u201cbeen victimized by a deceptive act or practice\u201d by GoFundMe.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c#GoFundMe now won\u2019t 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\u2019ve been victimized by a deceptive act or practice, let us know!\u201d Morrisey wrote. \u201cAccording to their website, #GoFundMe is not automatically refunding the donations. Individuals interested in a refund can submit the form below if they do so by Feb 19, 2022. This will avoid the \u2018redirecting\u2019 of the donation.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">According to their website, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoFundMe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#GoFundMe<\/a> is not automatically refunding the donations. Individuals interested in a refund can submit the form below if they do so by Feb 19, 2022.  This will avoid the \u201credirecting\u201d of the donation <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1b4rljC5FV\">pic.twitter.com\/1b4rljC5FV<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Patrick Morrisey (@MorriseyWV) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MorriseyWV\/status\/1489820597576257538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 5, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry responded: \u201cI 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\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I share the concerns of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WestVirginiaAG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@WestVirginiaAG<\/a>. My office will be looking into whether or not <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoFundMe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#GoFundMe<\/a> violated our state law. If you are a Louisiana donor to the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/FreedomConvoy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FreedomConvoy<\/a>, please contact my <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ConsumerProtection?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ConsumerProtection<\/a> Section! <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/lagov?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#lagov<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/lwCAvsbLrY\">https:\/\/t.co\/lwCAvsbLrY<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 AG Jeff Landry (@AGJeffLandry) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AGJeffLandry\/status\/1489984684188749824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 5, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody responded to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/news\/desantis-announces-florida-will-investigate-gofundme-after-company-shut-down-freedom-convoy\">announcement<\/a> that the state would investigate GoFundMe.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m sick and tired of corporations imposing their political will on unsuspecting consumers,\u201d she said. \u201cAs always, I will work with @GovRonDeSantis to ensure Floridians are protected.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I\u2019m sick and tired of corporations imposing their political will on unsuspecting consumers.<\/p>\n<p>As always, I will work with <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GovRonDeSantis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@GovRonDeSantis<\/a> to ensure Floridians are protected. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ZgHoKeH8iP\">https:\/\/t.co\/ZgHoKeH8iP<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 AG Ashley Moody (@AGAshleyMoody) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AGAshleyMoody\/status\/1489991769827729411?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 5, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><em>The Daily Wire is one of America\u2019s fastest-growing conservative media companies and counter-cultural outlets for news, opinion, and entertainment. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a <a class=\"in-cell-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailywire.com\/subscribe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">member<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2315279,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1273933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1273933","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1273933"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1273933\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2315279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1273933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1273933"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1273933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}