SouthernWorldwide.com – The Department of Justice has expanded its indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), alleging that the civil rights nonprofit secretly funneled approximately $4 million to individuals associated with extremist organizations, including the Ku Klux Klan.
Initially, a federal grand jury in Alabama had returned an 11-count indictment in April. This indictment charged the SPLC with six counts of wire fraud, four counts of making false statements to a federally insured bank, and one count of conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering.
The superseding indictment, announced last month, retains these original charges. However, it also significantly expands upon the alleged misconduct detailed by the Justice Department.
According to the DOJ, the SPLC “secretly funneled” over $3 million in donor funds between 2014 and 2023. These funds were allegedly paid to numerous individuals linked to extremist groups. These included the Ku Klux Klan, United Klans of America, the National Socialist Movement, participants in the Unite the Right rally, and the Aryan Nations-affiliated Sadistic Souls Motorcycle Club.
The original indictment had already alleged approximately $3 million in payments within the same 2014-2023 timeframe.
The indictment stated that the SPLC’s paid informants, referred to as “field sources,” were actively promoting racist groups. This occurred simultaneously while the SPLC was publicly denouncing the same groups on its website.
Prosecutors further allege that the SPLC established bank accounts tied to fictitious entities. This was reportedly done to conceal donor funds that were allegedly being routed to confidential sources.
The indictment details that the SPLC began operating a covert informant network as early as the 1980s. Between 2014 and 2023, the organization allegedly paid these sources in a clandestine manner.
In one specific instance cited by the DOJ, an SPLC employee allegedly encouraged two individuals to remain involved with an extremist organization. The employee reportedly offered them a monthly salary of $1,200.
Following this offer, the two individuals subsequently agreed to continue their involvement with the organization, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors allege that an SPLC employee instructed these individuals to claim they worked for a company named Rare Books. If questioned about their income source, they were told to say they assisted college students with research and writing assignments.
The indictment further alleges that donor funds were used to pay both individuals through SPLC accounts.
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According to prosecutors, these individuals were also reimbursed for expenses directly related to Ku Klux Klan activities. This included costs associated with cross-burning events and necessary materials like wood and fuel.
One of the individuals is also accused of using donor-funded payments to recruit new members into the KKK. The indictment further claims that the SPLC was aware that donor funds were being used to purchase materials for Ku Klux Klan garments.
In response to the expanded indictment, an SPLC spokesperson stated that the superseding indictment attempts to address flaws in the initial charges but ultimately changes nothing.
The SPLC maintains that it did not lie to its donors or mislead the banks it conducted business with. Furthermore, the organization asserts that its informant program has a history of preventing violence and saving lives.
The spokesperson also criticized the Justice Department, suggesting they shared the indictment with the media before it was officially unsealed by the court. This was described as another example of the government’s “troubling handling” of the case.
The SPLC intends to address these alleged irregularities with the court and looks forward to presenting the truth during a trial.
The superseding indictment also highlighted the significant financial growth of the SPLC. The organization’s reported revenue increased from approximately $38.7 million in 2010 to over $129 million in 2023, representing an approximate 233% surge.
During the same period, the organization’s net assets grew substantially, from around $238 million to nearly $787 million.
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a long-standing nonprofit organization. It states its mission is to combat white supremacy and extremism through research, reporting, and monitoring efforts. These efforts are intended to assist law enforcement and the public.
During a news conference announcing the original indictment, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche alleged that the SPLC paid members of extremist groups. This was reportedly done so the SPLC could generate “work product” documenting their activities.
Blanche further stated that the SPLC was doing the “exact opposite” of what it told its donors. Instead of dismantling extremism, it was allegedly funding it.
