Black Lives Matter activist Shaun King has pulled out all the receipts in the 72-page financial report he recently released following backlash over Rihanna deciding to honor him at her upcoming Diamond Ball.
The 39-year-old was recently accused of fraud and deemed a “scam artist” on social media after people began accusing him of hiding funds he raised for the Black Lives Matter movement. The accusations came after it was announced that Rihanna would be honoring the Morehouse grad at her annual awards ceremony.
But King finally responded to the shade by releasing a 72-page report of “every single penny I’ve ever raised since” Black Lives Matter began.
The documents were compiled and authored in part by people like Tamika Mallory, Co-Chair of The Women’s March and Co-Founder of Justice League NYC and civil rights attorney Lee Merritt, News One reports. The report included five years of King’s tax returns in addition to detailed accounts on the fundraisers he promoted through his social media accounts. The report also included a full accounting of his financial relationship with Real Justice PAC and Action PAC. in addition information on his family’s checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, retirement accounts and money management software.
“I’ve helped raise over $34.5 million for families, charities, causes, & campaigns,” King tweeted Tuesday morning. “A 7 person expert review board inspected every penny – including the past 5 years of my tax returns. Their 72 page report…”
Since the #BlackLivesMatter Movement began, I've helped raise over $34.5 million for families, charities, causes, & campaigns.
— Shaun King (@shaunking) September 3, 2019
A 7 person expert review board inspected every penny – including the past 5 years of my tax returns.
Their 72 page report…https://t.co/cmxkK8AKRE
Family members related to victims of police shootings also vouched for King including Nia Wilson, Philando Castile, Terence Crutcher and multiple other people killed in recent years. The family of Botham Jean, the man who was killed inside his own apartment by Dallas police officer Amber Guyger last year shared how much of a “pleasure” it was to work with King.
“We have had the pleasure of interacting with Shaun King in the months following Botham’s murder,” Jean’s family wrote. “Shaun has become more than another voice for our family. He has become our friend. He has advocated for the Jean family, spoke up for us, dried our tears and held our hands. We are grateful for his support as are many other families who have met him. In this photo Shaun King welcomed our family into his home to do what he does best — nourish.”
Radio host Michael Eric Dyson tweeted his support for King’s report on Tuesday afternoon.
“So glad that this report is available to for the world to see that @shaunking has been above board,” Dyson wrote. “This is a thorough and exhaustive investigation into his finances and clears him of any wrongdoing or malfeasance. I hope we can now put this to bed! Thanks, sir, for your work!”
So glad that this report is available to for the world to see that @shaunking has been above board. This is a thorough and exhaustive investigation into his finances and clears him of any wrongdoing or malfeasance. I hope we can now put this to bed! Thanks, sir, for your work! https://t.co/2WOyCybwBO
— Michael Eric Dyson (@MichaelEDyson) September 3, 2019
Rihanna’s annual Diamond Ball is still set to present King as well as Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley with the event’s highest honor next month, News One reports.
Press play below for more on this story and read the full report here.
