Atlanta

Atlanta-based activist allegedly used BLM group to launder more than $200K for personal purchases, FBI says

ATLANTA — An Atlanta-based activist is facing federal charges of money laundering and wire fraud in Ohio after he allegedly used money through his Black Lives Matter nonprofit for personal purchases.

An investigation by the FBI concluded that Sir Maejor Page, also known as Tyree Conyers-Page, 32, had created a Facebook page called Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta and had been soliciting money through the page through a GoFundMe account.

“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,” a news release from FBI said.

The FBI also said Page responded to several messages through the Facebook account in June telling people that their “funds had been donated to be used to fight for George Floyd and that none of ‘the funds have been used for personal items. All movement related.’”

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The FBI later determined that Page had used more than $200,000 to make personal purchases. An federal complaint said some of those items include a security system, tailored suits and accessories, as well as purchases in the thousands from Walmart and Home Depot.

The latest purchase was a home in Toldeo, Ohio and an adjacent lot that totaled about $112,000.

The complaint says Page bought the home under the name of Hi Frequency Ohio, an organization for that he was listed as treasurer and general counsel for.

The complaint outlines several purchases, including a security system which 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.

The property is also listed as his personal address on several public documents, including application form for the purchase of a pistol and two rifles. The complaint said Page bought the firearms using a personal bank account which he had transferred the money into from the BLMGA account.

"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’ and boasting about ‘my room way up at the top….at the top top...they put the bottom feeders on these floors…’ the press release said.

Page was arrested and taken into custody Friday morning and had an initial appearance Friday afternoon. The FBI said this is an ongoing investigation.