US charges anti-extremism organisation over payments to informants in hate groups
The Southern Poverty Law Center said it would "vigorously defend ourselves, our staff, and our work".
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"The allegations are false and said the justice department’s actions will not shake our resolve to fight for justice."
— Bryan Fair , Executive
"The group was doing the exact opposite of what it’s told its donors it was doing – not dismantling extremism, but funding it."
— Todd Blanche , Politician
"The paid informant program is a serious and egregious violation of a group that purported to dismantle violent extremist groups."
— Kash Patel , Politician
"The SPLC was not dismantling these groups. It was instead manufacturing the extremism it purports to oppose by paying sources to stoke racial hatred."
— Todd Blanche , Politician
"Taking on violent hate and extremist groups is among the most dangerous work there is, and we believe it is also among the most important work we do."
— Bryan Fair , Executive
"The SPLC was not dismantling these groups. It was instead manufacturing the extremism it purports to oppose by paying sources to stoke racial hatred."
— Todd Blanche , Politician
"The SPLC is manufacturing racism to justify its existence."
— Todd Blanche , Politician
"Taking on violent hate and extremist groups is among the most dangerous work there is, and we believe it is also among the most important work we do."
— Bryan Fair , Executive
Key People
Bryan Fair is the chief executive of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The former Chief of Staff for the Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense.
Steve Sisolak is the Governor of Nevada.
Todd Blanche is the nominee for attorney general and a former personal lawyer to Donald Trump.
Locations
Tags
All Coverage
The Southern Poverty Law Center said it would "vigorously defend ourselves, our staff, and our work".
The Justice Department has indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center on federal fraud charges for allegedly paying informants within extremist groups without disclosing it to donors.
The SPLC faces federal fraud charges related to payments made to informants infiltrating extremist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan.
The SPLC has been charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering for allegedly paying informants within extremist groups without donor disclosure.
The SPLC announced it is under a criminal investigation by the Justice Department concerning its use of paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups.
The SPLC faces federal fraud charges for allegedly misusing millions in donor funds to secretly pay leaders of hate groups as informants.
The SPLC was indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly misusing millions in donor funds to secretly pay leaders of hate groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, as informants.
The Department of Justice alleges the SPLC secretly funneled millions of dollars to white nationalists and extremists who worked for those same groups.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Trump administration accuses banned media outlets of 'falsehoods' ahead of court hearing
The US Justice Department's response to a lawsuit filed by CNN, Politico and MS NOW also cites national security.
September 23, 2026 at 06:47 AMTrump administration sued over withheld federal grants for US community lenders - Reuters
Trump administration sued over withheld federal grants for US community lenders Reuters
September 21, 2026 at 06:25 PMCNN, MS NOW and Politico to file lawsuit against Trump's White House ban
The US media outlets say they are defending "the principle that the government does not decide what the press reports or publishes".
September 21, 2026 at 12:21 PMUS appeals court upholds Pentagon's blacklisting of Anthropic - Reuters
US appeals court upholds Pentagon's blacklisting of Anthropic Reuters
September 25, 2026 at 05:54 PMAnthropic's Pentagon blacklist upheld in US appeals court: How the conflict unfolded - Reuters
Anthropic's Pentagon blacklist upheld in US appeals court: How the conflict unfolded Reuters
September 25, 2026 at 09:57 PMRepublican coordinated campaign spending surges after US Supreme Court ruling - Reuters
Republican coordinated campaign spending surges after US Supreme Court ruling Reuters
September 24, 2026 at 10:32 AM