Southern Poverty Law Center says it faces a DOJ criminal probe over paid informants
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The Bottom Line
The Southern Poverty Law Center faces a DOJ criminal probe over its use of paid informants.
How This Affects You
This probe could impact the SPLC's operations, potentially affecting its advocacy for civil rights and tracking of hate groups.
AI Summary
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) announced Tuesday that it is facing a criminal probe by the Department of Justice (DOJ). The Alabama-based civil rights organization stated that President Donald Trump's administration appears to be preparing legal action against the SPLC or its employees. This investigation reportedly centers on the SPLC's use of paid informants. The SPLC, known for tracking hate groups and advocating for civil rights, views the probe as a potential attempt to target its operations. This development signals a significant legal challenge for the organization from the current administration.
What's Being Done
The Department of Justice has initiated a criminal probe against the SPLC.
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Why was the Southern Poverty Law Center indicted on federal fraud charges?
Justice Department charges Southern Poverty Law Center with fraud over extremism investigations
WATCH: Justice Department charges SPLC with fraud over paid informant program
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Why was the Southern Poverty Law Center indicted on federal fraud charges?
<p>Charges alleged the center paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups without disclosing payments to donors</p><p>The Southern Poverty Law Center was indicted on Tuesday on federal fraud charges, alleging it improperly paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups without disclosing the payments to donors, acting attorney general Todd Blanche said.</p><p>The center’s CEO Bryan Fair said the payments went to confidential informants in order to monitor threats of violence from the extremist groups – and that the information the center received was frequently shared with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. The information gathered by the informants helped save lives, Fair said on Tuesday.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/21/splc-fraud-charges-explained">Continue reading...</a>
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