A federal grand jury in Montgomery, Alabama, returned an 11-count indictment on April 21, 2026, charging the Southern Poverty Law Center (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 indictment alleges that between 2014 and 2023, the SPLC secretly routed more than $3 million in donated funds to high-profile figures connected to some of the most notorious “white supremacist” and “neo-Nazi” groups across the country, including:
- Ku Klux Klan
- United Klans of America
- Unite the Right
- National Alliance
- National Socialist Movement
- Aryan Nations affiliated Sadistic Souls Motorcycle Club
- National Socialist Party of America (American Nazi Party)
- American Front
Prosecutors claim these payments went to “field sources” or informants embedded in or connected to the groups, while the SPLC publicly positioned itself as a “catalyst for racial justice” dedicated to dismantling white supremacy.
According to the Department of Justice, the SPLC did not disclose the nature of these payments to donors, who believed their contributions supported efforts to dismantle violent extremist groups. Officials allege the organization used bank accounts tied to fake entities to conceal the transfers and made false statements to maintain those accounts.
According to FBI Director Kash Patel, the SPLC “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.”
SPLC funded a large number of false flag “right wing” organizations and events. Total scam. https://t.co/1IzH99Dlt2
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 21, 2026
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said, “The SPLC is manufacturing racism to justify its existence,” adding that “using donor money to allegedly profit off Klansmen cannot go unchecked.” Blanche emphasized that the Department of Justice will hold fraudulent organizations accountable, regardless of their public mission.
Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson noted that donors trusted the SPLC to fight violent extremism, but the alleged scheme diverted funds to benefit individuals associated with the very groups it opposed, undermining public trust.
“Donors gave their money believing they were supporting the fight against violent extremism,” he said. “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 indictment also references the SPLC’s long history with informants, with some elements reportedly dating back decades, though the specific $3 million figure covers the 2014–2023 period.
🚨HAPPENING NOW: Justice Department announces indictment against Southern Poverty Law Center ("SPLC"). Our indictment alleges SPLC secretly funneled MORE THAN $3 MILLION in funds to members of white supremacist and extremist groups. pic.twitter.com/Ifpda94f7D
— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) April 21, 2026
If convicted, the SPLC could face forfeiture of assets connected to the alleged wrongdoing.
The case is being prosecuted in Montgomery, the city where the SPLC has been headquartered for decades, near major civil rights landmarks.
Response from the SPLC
In a statement, interim SPLC CEO and President Bryan Fair expressed outrage at what he called “false allegations.”
He defended the organization’s now-discontinued paid informant program as a dangerous but important effort to gather credible intelligence on violent hate groups—work he said often occurred “in the shadow of the Civil Rights Movement” and “saved lives,” reported NPR.
Fair added that the actions by the DOJ “will not shake our resolve to fight for justice and ensure the promise of the Civil Rights Movement becomes a reality for all.”
The SPLC has stated it will vigorously defend itself, its staff, and its mission.
Claims in the indictment and related civil filings remain allegations at this stage. This remains a developing story.
