GoFundMe is accused of ignoring its own terms of service by allowing donations for ICE agent Jonathan Ross.
Ross is in hiding after fatally shooting Renee Good at an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis on January 7. So far, no charges have been filed.
A GoFundMe for Good raised over $1.5 million before it closed.
Wired.com wrote:
“The crowdfunding platform GoFundMe is allowing a fundraising campaign tied to the potential legal defense of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who fatally shot a civilian to remain online, despite company rules barring fundraisers connected to violent crimes and past enforcement actions against similar campaigns.”
In an email, a GoFundMe spokesperson told WIRED on Sunday night that it was in the process of reviewing all fundraisers linked to ICE agent Jonathan Ross.
The spokesperson suggested there is no policy violation since Ross is not charged with a violent crime.
“During the review process, all funds remain safely held by our payment processors. GoFundMe’s Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers that raise money for the legal defense of anyone formally charged with a violent crime. Any campaigns that violate this policy will be removed.”
The GoFundMe has raised $640,000 for Ross who is in hiding at an undisclosed location.
The fundraiser, titled “ICE OFFICER Jonathan Ross,” surpassed its goal of $550,000 on Monday. The goal was increased to $800,000.
Wired.com identified the account organizer as Clyde Emmons of Mount Forest, Michigan.
Emmons deleted the original GoFundMe description that read: “funds will go to help pay for any legal services this officer needs.”
The new description says:
“After seeing all the media bs about a domestic terrorist getting go fund me. I feel that the officer that was 1000 percent justified in the shooting deserves to have a go fund me. Funds will go to help him.”
Another GoFundMe for Ross raised over $12,000 as of Tuesday afternoon.
