The Department of Justice reviewed criminal allegations against the Southern Poverty Law Center that went far beyond the financial charges it currently faces, court documents show.
Investigators were briefed in December 2025 about claims that the nonprofit group committed extortion, blackmail, tax evasion, obstruction of justice, and fraudulent tactics against conservative organizations, according to an “Intelligence Briefing” unveiled in court on Monday. The FBI detailed some of those allegations in an October 2025 document as it began its investigation that led to indictments against the SPLC and former top employee Heidi Beirich.
