(Headline USA) Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, along with the state attorneys general of West Virginia and Louisiana, vowed this weekend to investigate GoFundMe after the company tried to confiscate millions of dollars raised for Canadian truckers protesting against COVID-19 restrictions and mandates.
GoFundMe shut down the Freedom Convoy’s fundraising page and confiscated the $9 million that had been raised for the truckers. At first, the company said it would reallocate those funds to various charities, and that donors would have to submit refund requests if they wanted their money back.
But after backlash, GoFundMe announced it would automatically refund all donors.
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.
— GoFundMe (@gofundme) February 5, 2022
DeSantis slammed GoFundMe for trying to “commandeer” lawfully raised funds and vowed an investigation into the company’s “deceptive practices.”
It is a fraud for @gofundme to commandeer $9M in donations sent to support truckers and give it to causes of their own choosing.
I will work with @AGAshleyMoody to investigate these deceptive practices — these donors should be given a refund.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 5, 2022
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey agreed:
I 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 https://t.co/lwCAvsbLrY
— AG Jeff Landry (@AGJeffLandry) February 5, 2022
As a result of YOU weighing in, #GoFundMe has CHANGED its policy for the #FreedomConvoy and will now be AUTOMATICALLY providing refunds to donors.
Thanks to everyone who RT’d our message. Little ‘ol WV making a difference!
We’re not done yet & will not tolerate shady practices. pic.twitter.com/eZ7A56PnJ1
— Patrick Morrisey (@MorriseyWV) February 5, 2022
