Luigi Mangione's defense fund has surpassed $200,000 on GiveSendGo, prompting the site to defend crowdfunding an accused killer.
The fund saw a surge following Mangione's plea of not guilty to murder and terrorism charges in New York on Monday. Mangione is charged with the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, an act which tapped into an amount of public vitriol toward health insurance companies that has shocked officials.
"Our platform does not adjudicate legal matters or the validity of causes. Instead, we allow campaigns to remain live unless they violate the specific terms outlined in our Terms of Use," a GiveSendGo spokesperson told ABC. "Importantly, we do allow campaigns for legal defense funds, as we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to access due process."
The GiveSetGo fund for Mangione has continued to collect donations even as other sites, including GoFundMe, have shut down efforts in support of the 26-year old alleged assassin.
"While other platforms may choose a different approach," the spokesperson acknowledged, "GiveSendGo's core value is to provide a space where all individuals, no matter their situation, can seek and receive support, with donors making their own informed decisions."
The GiveSendGo fund for Mangione was established by a group that goes by The December 4th Legal Committee, referencing the date of Thompson's assassination.
"We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right to fair legal representation," the committee states.
Officials, including Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Brag, have condemned the fanfare over Mangione.
"Celebrating this conduct is abhorrent to me," Bragg told ABC. "It's deeply disturbing,"
"You can be up in arms about the health care industry," retired FBI special agent and ABC contributor Richard Frankel said, "But you can't threaten or actually hurt members of the health care industry."
Mangione faces charges in Pennsylvania, New York, and at the federal level. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 18 in federal court.
Originally published by Latin Times.
