Luigi Mangione accepts $300K in donations for legal defense

Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old man charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, agreed to accept nearly USD 300,000 in donations to fund his legal defense, as revealed by a fundraising initiative, The Independent reported.

Mangione is alleged to have killed Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel on Dec. 4, 2024, and currently faces multiple criminal charges across New York, Pennsylvania, and federal courts. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges in New York state, with no pleas entered yet in the other jurisdictions.

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The December 4 Legal Committee is responsible for establishing a GiveSendGo legal fund. As of Feb. 12, 2025, the fundraiser has raised USD 356,465.

Spokesperson Sam Beard expressed enthusiasm about the support, stating, “We’re thrilled that Luigi is accepting these funds so that he can mount the strongest defense possible. The American private health insurance industry has ruined countless lives by denying people access to basic care and burying families in medical debt. It’s no surprise that Luigi’s alleged actions are understood and supported by tens of millions of hard-working Americans.”

This announcement follows a statement from Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who told Newsweek that her client intended to utilize the donations for his legal battles.

“Luigi is aware of the fund and very much appreciates the outpouring of support. My client plans on utilizing it to fight all three of the unprecedented cases against him,” Agnifilo said, noting that the fund had initially raised USD 240,000.

The December 4 Legal Committee pledged to continue fundraising for Mangione throughout his trial. They encourage supporters to find innovative ways to advocate for him while he is incarcerated, stating, “We encourage his millions of supporters to find creative and public ways to advocate for him during his time behind bars, in addition to donating and sending him mail. He loves to receive letters, memes, and books.”

Mangione was apprehended on Dec. 10, 2024, at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, following a highly publicized six-day manhunt. In addition to the murder charge in New York, he faces various charges in Pennsylvania, including carrying a firearm without a license and forgery. He was extradited to New York on December 19 after waiving his right to an extradition hearing.

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His next court appearance is scheduled for February 21 in New York state, where he is facing 11 charges, including first-degree murder in furtherance of terrorism and multiple weapons offenses.

At the federal level, he has been charged with murder through the use of a firearm, two counts of stalking, and a firearms offense. If convicted of the murder charge, he could potentially face the death penalty, although it remains unclear whether federal prosecutors intend to pursue that option.