The indictment, returned in Montgomery, Alabama, on April 21, 2026, targets the Southern Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit headquartered in Montgomery whose mission, according to its website during the relevant period, was to be a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people. The government alleges that starting in the 1980s the SPLC operated a covert network of individuals either associated with or directed to infiltrate violent extremist groups — and that between 2014 and 2023 it secretly paid more than $3 million to individuals connected to organizations including the Ku Klux Klan, United Klans of America, Aryan Nations affiliated Sadistic Souls Motorcycle Club, National Alliance, National Socialist Movement, Unite the Right, National Socialist Party of America (American Nazi Party), and American Front.
According to the indictment, the objective of the alleged scheme was to obtain money via donations through materially false representations and omissions about what the donated funds would be used for. The SPLC allegedly opened bank accounts connected to a series of fictitious entities to conceal the payments, disguising the true nature, source, ownership, and control of the funds. The government further alleges the SPLC made a series of false statements related to the operation of those accounts.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Alabama Northern Division filed two forfeiture actions to recover alleged proceeds of the fraud scheme. A conviction will result in forfeiture of financial gains from the alleged illegal activities.
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from IRS Criminal Investigation. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel announced the charges in Washington.
"The SPLC is manufacturing racism to justify its existence," said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. "Using donor money to allegedly profit off Klansmen cannot go unchecked. This Department of Justice will hold the SPLC and every other fraudulent organization operating with the same deceptive playbook accountable. No entity is above the law."
"The SPLC allegedly engaged in a massive fraud operation to deceive their donors, enrich themselves, and hide their deceptive operations from the public," said FBI Director Kash Patel. "They lied to their donors, vowing to dismantle violent extremist groups, and actually turned around and paid the leaders of these very extremist groups - even utilizing the funds to have these groups facilitate the commission of state and federal crimes. That is illegal - and this is an ongoing investigation against all individuals involved."
"Donors gave their money believing they were supporting the fight against violent extremism," said Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson. "As alleged, the SPLC instead diverted a portion of those funds to benefit individuals and groups they claimed to oppose. That kind of deception undermines public trust and social cohesion."
The details contained in the civil forfeiture complaint are allegations only.