ATLANTA — A man who collected funds he claimed would go toward projects backed by the Black Lives Matter organization is facing federal charges after using more than $200,000 of donations for personal purchases.
Sir Maejor Page, also known as Tyree Conyers-Page, created the Facebook page Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta, where he claimed to represent the group and asked for monetary donations via GoFundMe.
Instead of using the funds for social justice and civil rights initiatives, Page used the money to purchase a home, clothes and furniture, among other things, Atlanta-based WSB-TV reported.
After receiving a tip, the FBI investigated Page’s legitimacy and ultimately released this statement:
“In June 2020, BLMGA social media page received approximately $36,493.80 in donations, in July 2020, it received approximately $370,933.69 in donations, and in August 2020, an additional $59,914.69 in donations, all of this money was transferred from the social media donations to the bank account titled and operated in the name of ‘Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta, Inc’, owned and operated by Page.”
Page told supporters donated money was focused on the “fight for George Floyd," according to federal investigators.
The FBI found that Page’s personal purchases included a security system that cost $1,310, tailored suits and accessories totaling $2,065, furniture purchases totaling more than $12,000, Walmart purchases totaling more than $4,000 and Home Depot charges of $2,125.67.
“Numerous videos and livestream videos were posted to Page’s personal social media pages showing himself in what appeared to be newly purchased clothing, hotel rooms and office space in Atlanta. Several audio statements are made by Page in the videos boasting about the money he has, his tailored suits, his nice cufflinks and ‘$150 ties,’" the FBI said in a news release.
Page was arrested Friday in Toledo, Ohio, where he had recently purchased a $112,000 home. He was released after posting $10,000 bond and will appear in court Friday, WTOL-TV reported. Page faces charges of money laundering and wire fraud.
During his release, Page, who also has a Facebook page that lists him as an actor, is not allowed to use the platform.
GoFundMe said Saturday that anyone who donated to the Black Lives Matter Greater Atlanta campaign can request a refund for donated money. The crowdfunding company also banned Page from the platform, removed the BLMGA campaign and announced it would not allow any other campaigns to be created for BLMGA, WSB-TV reported.
“Campaigns with misuse are very rare, and we take all complaints very seriously,” GoFundMe said in a statement. “Our team is working with law enforcement and assisting them in the investigation.”
See the original story on WSBTV.com.
GoFundMe says they will refund money donated to Black Lives Matter Greater Atlanta https://t.co/THP4bnS8Qy
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) September 27, 2020
Cox Media Group
