An anti-police activist is facing legal trouble after allegedly misusing more than $75,000 in donations to fund a luxurious lifestyle that included a lavish Cancun vacation and extravagant shopping sprees. Brandon Anderson, the founder of the nonprofit organization Raheem AI, is accused by the Attorney General of Washington, DC, of violating workers’ rights and charity group laws by using charitable funds for personal expenses.
According to DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb, Anderson used the donations meant for police transparency and accountability to support his luxurious lifestyle, including expensive vacations and shopping sprees. The lawsuit alleges that Anderson misused charitable funds to pay for mansion and penthouse rentals, personal travel, designer clothing from luxury retailers, and even emergency veterinary services.
Raheem AI, founded by Anderson in 2017 with the goal of equipping black, brown, and indigenous community crisis responders with necessary tools and training, received over $4.3 million in donations before its app project failed to materialize. Former Raheem AI staffer Jasmine Banks revealed Anderson’s extravagant spending after the nonprofit stopped paying her salary. The lawsuit also claims that Anderson failed to pay Banks tens of thousands of dollars in earned wages since April.
The complaint against Anderson and Raheem AI details not only the misuse of funds but also violations of the District’s Nonprofit Corporation Act, Wage Payment and Collection Law, and Ban on Noncompete Agreements Act. The lawsuit highlights the lack of financial oversight within the organization, with Anderson having unrestricted control over its finances since 2021.
Despite the allegations, Anderson has not responded to requests for comment. The lawsuit sheds light on the importance of transparency and accountability in nonprofit organizations, emphasizing the need for proper governance to prevent financial abuses and protect employees’ rights. It remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will unfold and what consequences Anderson and Raheem AI will face for their alleged misconduct.
