Black Lives Matter activist indicted by federal grand jury
Mar. 12—A Toledo activist accused of diverting to personal use more than $200,000 worth of donations to a Black Lives Matter Facebook page was indicted this week by a federal grand jury in Cleveland.
Sir Maejor Page, formerly Tyree Conyers-Page, 32, is charged with wire fraud and three counts of money laundering, for allegedly accepting more than a quarter-million dollars through a illegitimate nonprofit organization, Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta.
Several donors were led to believe Mr. Page was using the money for legitimate protesting purposes, according to the indictment, but he really spent the money for personal items, entertainment, hotel rooms, clothing, firearms, a house and adjoining vacant lot at Glenwood and Maplewood avenues, and payment to a prostitute, according to the indictment. The money was spent in Toledo and in Atlanta.
Mr. Page has been free since shortly after his Sept. 25 arrest on a $10,000 unsecured bond under the conditions he refrain from using Facebook and avoid any fund-raising activity virtually or in person. He was also not permitted to open any lines of credit or bank accounts without his probation officer's permission.
Federal prosecutors had obtained several continuances of the grand-jury proceeding because of coronavirus-related complications.
After being advised of the indictment Friday, Mr. Page sent The Blade a prepared statement in which he protested having been notified by the newspaper instead of his lawyer.
"It is to no surprise that the government wishes to move forward in a criminal case against a social justice activist," he wrote. "I maintain my position that I did not intentionally commit any crimes, as it is my only purpose in life to fight for those whose voices have been muffled and or silenced. Had I violated any state of federal laws I have no problem owning that and working to correct my actions. I believe that I acted in good faith. I look forward to a fair and just due process under the law."
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His attorney, Neil McElroy, previously declined to comment.
Mr. Page is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday.
"These allegations involve fraudulent misrepresentations that the donations received would support Black Lives Matter (Atlanta, Georgia) when, as stated in the indictment, those funds were actually used by the defendant for personal expenses he incurred in Toledo and elsewhere," said Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan. "It is our sincere hope that these charges help raise awareness about online scams and efforts by some to exploit the name and purpose of non-profit organizations for personal gain."
First Published March 12, 2021, 12:21pm
