Former Professor Who Raised Funds To Honor Philando Castile Ordered To Pay Back $120K

Pamela Fergus, a former psychology professor at Metropolitan State University, started a fundraiser called “Philando Feeds the Children” in 2017, a year after Castile was killed at the hands of police during a traffic stop. The supposed goal of the fundraiser was to pay off students’ school lunch debts, The New York Times reports.

Fergus set up the fundraiser on YouCaring.org, a crowdfunding platform. Her initial target was $5,000 which was quickly met once Fergus’ effort made national news. The former professor then changed the donation goal to $999,999, saying she wanted “a million dollars in that account.”

However, Fergus was later accused of not allocating the funds to the students’ school lunch debt.

In a lawsuit filed by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office in June 2021, Fergus did not account for $120,000 of the money she raised. Close to $80,000 was donated to St. Paul Public Schools, but according to the Atlanta Black Star, the rest was deposited into Fergus’ personal account.

Fergus agreed to a settlement that requires her to pay back the funds but she didn’t admit to misappropriating the funds. She has since been barred from raising charitable funds, The New York Times reports.

Locals were skeptical of Fergus’ fundraiser after Castile’s mother, Valerie Castile, shared her concerns.

“You should put that money where it’s supposed to go,” she said in a statement, The New York Times reports. “These things are not for your personal gain. It’s not right.”

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said Fergus’ actions are an “insult to Philando’s legacy and all who loved him.”

The former professor must pay $400 each month starting in June until Feb. 2024. If she’s compliant, she’ll have access to her retirement fund. If not, she will be liable for the amount still owed.