Southern Poverty Law Center says it faces a Justice Department criminal probe over paid informants
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) announced it is facing a criminal investigation by the Justice Department regarding its past use of paid informants. The investigation, revealed on Tuesday, appears to focus on the SPLC's practice of using informants to gather intelligence on extremist groups.
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AI-generatedThe Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) announced it is facing a criminal investigation by the Justice Department regarding its past use of paid informants. The investigation, revealed on Tuesday, appears to focus on the SPLC's practice of using informants to gather intelligence on extremist groups. According to CEO Bryan Fair, the SPLC used these informants to monitor threats of violence and shared information with law enforcement. The SPLC maintains that the informant program, kept quiet to protect the safety of those involved, saved lives during a period of heightened violence against civil rights activists. The organization stated it will defend itself and its work vigorously.
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5 extractedThe SPLC will vigorously defend themselves, their staff, and their work.
The Justice Department had no immediate comment.
The SPLC previously paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups and gather information.
The investigation focuses on the SPLC’s prior use of paid confidential informants.
Southern Poverty Law Center says it’s the subject of a criminal investigation by the Justice Department.