Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson, the executive director of the Black Lives Matter Oklahoma City chapter (BLM OKC), has been formally charged with multiple counts of financial misconduct. On December 3, U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester announced that a grand jury returned a 25-count federal indictment against Dickerson, including 20 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering.
"The indictment claims Dickerson diverted approximately $3.15 million in returned bail money into her own personal accounts, violating federal law and the conditions set by the grants."
Prosecutors allege that Dickerson, who has had control over BLM OKC's finances since at least 2016, misappropriated millions of dollars. These funds were primarily raised for bail purposes following the civil unrest that occurred after George Floyd's death in 2020. BLM OKC, not a registered tax-exempt nonprofit, operated under the fiscal sponsorship of the Arizona-based Alliance for Global Justice (AFGJ). AFGJ had mandated that all funds be used exclusively for tax-exempt purposes and explicitly prohibited real estate purchases without approval.
The indictment claims Dickerson diverted approximately $3.15 million in returned bail money, which was supposed to support a revolving bail fund, into her own personal accounts. This act contravened federal law and the conditions set by the grants. It is further alleged that Dickerson used the embezzled funds for personal luxuries including vacations to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, shopping sprees, and grocery deliveries. Additionally, she reportedly spent on real estate, acquiring six properties in Oklahoma City either in her name or through an entity named Equity International, LLC.
The indictment also includes accusations that Dickerson filed two false annual reports with AFGJ, falsely asserting that all funds were utilized for tax-exempt activities, while concealing the diverted millions. The submission of these reports via interstate wire communications is the basis for the wire fraud charges.
Each count of wire fraud Dickerson faces could lead to a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000. The money laundering counts carry a potential sentence of up to ten years and fines that could amount to twice the value of the laundered proceeds.
The case follows a series of similar allegations against leaders within the Black Lives Matter movement, raising concerns about financial oversight within the organization. The indictment against Dickerson is set to be a focal point in the ongoing discussion about the accountability of non-profit leaders and the proper management of donated funds.
