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Southern Poverty Law Center indicted on federal fraud charges
TL;DR
The Southern Poverty Law Center has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly raising millions improperly to pay informants to infiltrate extremist groups. The charges include wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Key points
- Southern Poverty Law Center indicted on federal fraud charges
- Allegations include raising millions improperly
- Charges include wire fraud and bank fraud
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment
- Organization is based in Alabama
Mentioned in this story
Southern Poverty Law CenterTodd BlancheAlabama
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks as FBI Director Kash Patel listens during a news conference at the Justice Department on Tuesday in Washington. Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
WASHINGTON — The Southern Poverty Law Center was indicted Tuesday on federal fraud charges alleging it improperly raised millions of dollars to pay informants to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan and other extremist groups, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
The civil rights group faces charges including wire fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering in the case brought by the Justice Department in Alabama, where the organization is based.
The indictment came shortly after SPLC revealed the existence of a criminal investigation into its program to pay informants to infiltrate extremist groups and gather information on their activities. The group said the program was used to monitor threats of violence and the information was often shared with local and federal law enforcement.
SPLC CEO Bryan Fair said the organization "will vigorously defend ourselves, our staff, and our work."
Blanche said the SPLC paid at least $3 million between 2014 and 2023 to people affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan, the United Klans of America, the National Socialist Party of America and other extremist groups.
"The SPLC was not dismantling these groups. It was instead manufacturing the extremism it purports to oppose by paying sources to stoke racial hatred," Blanche said.
He said the SPLC never disclosed to donors details about its informant program. "They're required to under the laws associated with a nonprofit to have certain transparency and honesty in what they're telling donors they're going to spend money on and what their mission statement is and what they're raising money doing," he said.
Blanche said the money was passed from the center through two different bank accounts before being loaded onto prepaid cards to give to the members of the extremist groups, which also included the National Socialist Movement and the Aryan Nations-affiliated Sadistic Souls Motorcycle Club.
Q&A
What are the federal fraud charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center?
The charges include wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Why was the Southern Poverty Law Center indicted?
The indictment stems from allegations that the organization improperly raised millions to pay informants infiltrating extremist groups like the Ku Klux Klan.
Who announced the indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center?
The indictment was announced by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche during a news conference.
Where is the Southern Poverty Law Center based?
The Southern Poverty Law Center is based in Alabama.
