WASHINGTON — Attorney General Brian Schwalb has filed a lawsuit against Raheem AI, a nonprofit focused on police accountability, and its Executive Director Brandon Anderson. The accusations are serious: misuse of $75,000 in nonprofit funds for personal luxuries, failure to pay an employee's wages, and forcing an illegal non-compete agreement.
The lawsuit alleges Anderson lived a life of luxury at the nonprofit’s expense, spending:
- $40,000 on high-end vacation rentals.
- $10,000 on personal travel, including a trip to Cancun.
- $10,000 on designer clothing.
- $5,000 on emergency vet services.
None of these expenses supported Raheem AI’s mission to promote police accountability and empower communities, the lawsuit reads.
The nonprofit’s leadership practices were also called into question. By law, nonprofits in D.C. must have a treasurer to oversee finances. Raheem AI has not had one since 2020, allowing Anderson total control. The Board of Directors failed to monitor spending, enabling these alleged abuses.
Raheem AI also stands accused of violating labor laws:
- Unpaid wages: The nonprofit’s Deputy Director was not paid for her work after reporting Anderson’s actions to the board.
- Illegal non-compete clause: Anderson required the employee to sign a clause barring her from other work opportunities, a move illegal under D.C. law for those earning under $150,000 annually.
“Brandon Anderson misused charitable donations to fund lavish vacations and shopping sprees,” Schwalb said in a press release. “My office will not allow people to masquerade behind noble causes while violating the law, cheating taxpayers, or stealing from their workers.”
Schwalb’s office is seeking to:
- Dissolve Raheem AI as a nonprofit.
- Recover misused funds and redirect them to appropriate charities.
- Permanently bar Anderson from leadership roles in D.C. nonprofits.
- Compensate the Deputy Director for owed wages and damages.
- Impose penalties on Anderson and Raheem AI for legal violations.
If you suspect a nonprofit is violating DC laws, contact the Office of the Attorney General at (202) 727-3400.
