Southern Poverty Law Center Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Fraud Charges and Accuses Justice Department of Leaking Indictment

The Southern Poverty Law Center pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 11 federal counts of wire fraud, making false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit concealment of money laundering. Attorney Abbe Lowell entered the plea on behalf of the organization during a remote arraignment before Magistrate Judge Kelly Pate.

The charges stem from a June 2 superseding indictment that added details to allegations first announced in April.

Prosecutors said $4.1 million in donations financed payments to informants who were members of the Ku Klux Klan and white nationalist groups. Some of the funds covered recruiting new members as well as purchases of robes and materials for cross-burning ceremonies, according to the indictment.

The paid informants had initially approached the SPLC seeking help to leave the organizations but instead received monthly payments and expense reimbursements, the document stated.

The SPLC has denied wrongdoing and said the program supplied critical intelligence to law enforcement agencies. Lowell filed a motion asking the court to require Justice Department officials to answer questions about the release of the superseding indictment. He accused the department of leaking an unsigned draft to the press before the official filing.

The government has until July 13 to respond. Jury selection is scheduled to begin October 5, 2026, before Judge Emily Marks. U.S. attorney Kevin Davidson said the investigation remains open and that prosecutors have already turned over more documents than required by law.