DOJ Launches Criminal Probe into SPLC's Historical Use of Paid Informants in Extremist Monitoring

The Southern Poverty Law Center, a 55-year-old civil rights organization based in Montgomery, Alabama, stated that it faces a criminal investigation by the Department of Justice over its past use of paid confidential informants to gather intelligence on extremely violent groups.

The head of the Southern Poverty Law Center stated on Tuesday that the organization is facing a criminal investigation and possible charges against the SPLC or some of its employees. The head said the investigation focuses on the group’s prior use of paid confidential informants to gather credible intelligence on extremely violent groups.

The head added that the SPLC used to use paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups and monitor them but no longer does. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama, which includes Montgomery, stated that as a matter of Department of Justice policy, they generally do not confirm, deny, or otherwise comment on the existence or non-existence of investigations.

For decades, the SPLC has used civil lawsuits to combat white supremacist groups and engaged in litigation to dismantle the Klan and other hate groups.

In 1983, SPLC offices were firebombed. The head said SPLC's confidential sources had risked their lives to infiltrate and inform on the activities of the nation’s most radical and violent extremist groups, and provided information to the FBI which saved lives.

The group used paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups and gather intelligence on their operations, which it shared with local and federal law enforcement.

The Justice Department is investigating the Southern Poverty Law Center in connection with a now-defunct program that used paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups. Last year, the FBI announced it was ending its relationship with the SPLC. Officials said the FBI had jettisoned all relationships with the Southern Poverty Law Center.