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DOJ Charges SPLC with Fraud for Funding Extremist Groups

The Southern Poverty Law Center faces federal charges for allegedly funneling over $3 million to hate groups and bankrolling extremist leaders. Donors including George Clooney's foundation and George Soros's Open Society Foundations have not commented on the indictment. The charges stem from payments to individuals involved in events like the 2017 Unite the Right rally.

nypost.com
1 source·Apr 24, 3:34 AM(12 days ago)·1m read
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DOJ Charges SPLC with Fraud for Funding Extremist GroupsSubstrate placeholder — needs review · Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
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Com. Federal prosecutors alleged that insiders from extremist groups paid by the nonprofit helped spread hateful content. The charges involve the organization allegedly funneling more than $3 million to hate groups and bankrolling at least eight leaders and members of extremist groups.

Com reported. The organization allegedly sent money to one of the people involved in organizing the Unite the Right rally. That rally occurred in Virginia in 2017 and resulted in the death of one protester.

The Southern Poverty Law Center paid about $270,000 over an eight-year period to a Unite the Right leader, according to the Department of Justice. That leader was directly involved in organizing the Charlottesville rally. com reported that attendees at the rally shouted racist slogans and waved Nazi flags.

Curtis T. Hill Jr. said the Southern Poverty Law Center should be taken down brick by brick if the Department of Justice’s allegations are true. Hill, the former attorney general for Indiana who now serves as an ambassador for Project 21’s black leadership network, told The Post: “The motive is raising money for self-perpetuation.

Perpetrating hate costs money. ” George Clooney's foundation is a donor to the Southern Poverty Law Center. George Soros's Open Society Foundations is also a donor to the organization. MGM Resorts is among the donors as well.

Former Apple CEO Tim Cook pledged to the Southern Poverty Law Center. JPMorgan also pledged to the organization. Chick-Fil-A made a one-time $2,500 donation to the Southern Poverty Law Center nearly 10 years ago.

The donation by Chick-Fil-A was made at the request of a former advisory board member. com reported. The foundations of Clooney and Soros, along with MGM Resorts and other backers, have not spoken up about the indictment and ignored requests for comment.

Key Facts

Federal charges against SPLC
The Southern Poverty Law Center was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering for allegedly funneling over $3 million to hate groups.
Payments to extremist leaders
The organization allegedly bankrolled at least eight leaders and members of extremist groups, including $270,000 over eight years to a Unite the Right rally org
Donor involvement
Donors include George Clooney's foundation, George Soros's Open Society Foundations, MGM Resorts, former Apple CEO Tim Cook, JPMorgan, OpenAI, and a one-time $2
Critic reaction
Curtis T. Hill Jr. said the SPLC should be taken down brick by brick if the DOJ’s allegations are true.
Connection to 2017 rally
The Unite the Right rally in Virginia in 2017 resulted in one protester's death, and SPLC allegedly sent money to one of its organizers.

Story Timeline

6 events
  1. 2026-04-22

    The Southern Poverty Law Center was charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering.

    1 sourcenypost.com
  2. 2017

    The Unite the Right rally occurred in Virginia, resulting in the death of one protester.

    1 sourcenypost.com
  3. Approximately 2016

    Chick-Fil-A made a one-time $2,500 donation to the Southern Poverty Law Center at the request of a former advisory board member.

    1 sourcenypost.com
  4. Over an eight-year period ending recently

    The Southern Poverty Law Center paid about $270,000 to a Unite the Right leader directly involved in organizing the Charlottesville rally.

    1 sourcenypost.com
  5. Post-2017

    Many donors, including George Clooney’s foundation, former Apple CEO Tim Cook and JPMorgan, pledged to the Southern Poverty Law Center after the Unite the Right rally.

    1 sourcenypost.com
  6. Recent

    Curtis T. Hill Jr. stated that the SPLC should be taken down brick by brick if the DOJ’s allegations are true.

    1 sourcenypost.com

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    Increased scrutiny on nonprofit funding and operations involving extremist groups.

  2. 02

    Potential loss of donor support for the Southern Poverty Law Center due to the fraud allegations.

  3. 03

    Reputational damage to associated donors like George Clooney and George Soros.

  4. 04

    Legal consequences including fines or dissolution if allegations are proven in court.

  5. 05

    Broader doubts among civil rights activists about anti-hate organizations' motives.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced1
Framing risk55/100 (moderate)
Confidence score65%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count292 words
PublishedApr 24, 2026, 3:34 AM
Bias signals removed4 across 4 outlets
Signal Breakdown
Loaded 3Speculative 1

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