A post from the Center for Individual Freedom highlights a question surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline protest: Where has all the money gone?
After millions of dollars poured into crowdfunding accounts online, a significant portion of that money remains unaccounted for.
According to the post, “through February 14, over $13.5 million has reportedly been raised for the protesters through at least 350 different online accounts setup on sites like GoFundMe and FundRazr. While the list represents some of the more serious fundraising efforts, it’s estimated that upwards of 20,000 individual campaigns exist, likely equating to millions in additional income.”
With little transparency throughout the fundraising process, and no answers following an exhaustive search of charitable organizations, it remains unclear how the funds were allocated.
But after the protests cost North Dakota taxpayers more than $33 million dollars, the disappearance of the funds have raised eyebrows in Bismarck. The North Dakota Tax Authority now plans to launch an investigation if income tax forms reflective of the donations are not submitted.