Left-Wing Watchdog Group Southern Poverty Law Center Accused Of Funding Extremists In Shocking Indictment

The United States Department of Justice has unsealed an indictment alleging that the Southern Poverty Law Center paid individuals embedded within white supremacist groups, including one who helped plan the infamous 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville.

According to the indictment, an informant identified as “F-37” was paid more than $270,000 between 2015 and 2023 while participating in extremist circles. The individual was reportedly part of a leadership group chat used to organize the rally and attended the event at the direction of the organization.

Prosecutors allege the informant made racist online posts under supervision and helped coordinate transportation for attendees heading to the rally. The Justice Department claims this was part of a broader pattern in which informants tied to extremist organizations were paid millions over nearly a decade.

The 2017 rally brought together neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan members, and other extremist groups, and turned deadly when a vehicle was driven into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing one person and injuring dozens. The violence became a major flashpoint in national politics and public discourse.

The indictment outlines additional allegations involving other informants. One, identified as “F-9,” allegedly received over $1 million across two decades while assisting with fundraising efforts tied to a neo-Nazi organization. Another, “F-30,” was reportedly paid around $70,000 while simultaneously being listed publicly by the group as an extremist figure.

Federal prosecutors further allege that the organization used shell entities and misleading banking practices to conceal financial activity tied to these operations. Charges include wire fraud, making false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The case adds to longstanding criticism from some political figures regarding the organization’s methods and classifications of extremist groups. The indictment also notes that federal law enforcement agencies previously relied on the group’s research before ties were severed during leadership changes at the FBI.

The legal proceedings are expected to unfold in federal court, where the allegations — and the organization’s response — will be tested in detail.