Governor: State Will Investigate Protester’s GoFundMe Accounts

Speaking on a local radio station this morning, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said he foresees investigations and potential lawsuits concerning the millions of dollars anti-pipeline protesters have raised through online crowdfunding websites.

Asked by Scott Hennen if authorities plan to look into the questionable online funding, Burgum said, “I think there should be and I think there will be.”

Burgum expressed concern that radical groups like Earthjustice or Honor the Earth were using crowdfunding websites to funnel money into the unlawful movement.

“You could have legitimate organizations that are filtering their self-interested dollars through small donations so it looks like it’s an organic thing,” he said. “You’re filtering it in through lots of small donations to support a cause that might help a corporation.”