SPLC Charged with Hate Group Funding, Donor Deception

0:00It's April 22nd. This is U.S. News Today, AI-powered stories from across the country. A federal grand jury in Alabama hit the Southern Poverty Law Center with 11 charges this week, accusing the Civil Rights Group of wire fraud, fall statements to banks, and money laundering conspiracy. Prosecutors say the Montgomery-based nonprofit hit a secret program that funneled about $3 million to extremists from 2014 to 2023. The cash went to folks linked to the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, and other hate outfits routed through fake companies and loaded onto prepaid cards. Officials claim this set up trick donors who thought their money fought hate, not funded it. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche called it out at a news conference, saying the payments actually stirred up more racial tension instead of stopping it. FBI Director Cash Patel backed that up, noting the group lied to supporters and even helped some crimes happen. The SPLC's interim CEO pushed back hard, explaining the payments bought intel on violent crews

1:03that they shared with cops, including the FBI. They shut it down already and plan to fight the charges in court. This ramps up long-running beef, like when the FBI cut ties last fall and Republicans grilled them over political targeting. No court day yet, but proving they meant to deceive donors will be the big test ahead.