Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has initiated a civil investigation into the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) concerning its fundraising activities, following a federal indictment against the organization.
Subpoena Issued for Donation Records
Marshall confirmed on Monday that his office has issued a subpoena to the SPLC, demanding information regarding donations and payments made to informants. The probe aims to determine whether the center violated Alabama laws governing charitable organizations or engaged in deceptive trade practices.
“We look forward to learning more about the inner workings of an organization that we have long believed was rotten, but until recently, has been impervious,” Marshall stated in a press release.
SPLC Responds to Subpoena
The SPLC acknowledged receipt of the subpoena in a brief statement. “We have received notice of a subpoena and are currently reviewing,” a spokesperson wrote via email.
The state-level investigation follows a criminal indictment unsealed by the U.S. Department of Justice, which accuses the SPLC of defrauding donors by using funds to pay informants embedded within extremist groups. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche alleged that the organization engaged in “manufacturing racism to justify its existence.”
SPLC Defends Informant Program
The SPLC has vehemently denied the accusations, describing them as “provably wrong.” The organization maintains that its informant program was designed to gather intelligence to prevent attacks and dismantle hate groups. It further asserts that federal authorities were fully aware of the program and that intelligence was routinely shared with law enforcement agencies.
The SPLC, renowned for its work tracking hate groups, has a history of legal clashes with conservative entities, the Trump administration, and Marshall’s office. It has frequently criticized Trump-era policies.
