Embattled SPLC Faces New Legal Challenges

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) pleaded not guilty on July 7, 2026 to a DOJ superseding indictment alleging SPLC defrauded its donors by failing to disclose some of the donated funds ($4.1 million) would be used to pay informants in extremist organizations. Federal prosecutors allege SPLC used donated funds to recruit new members and purchase Ku Klux Klan robes and materials for cross-burning ceremonies. News Coverage: CBS News, Politico. SPLC still faces 11 counts of wire fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering filed in April. See our prior blog post for more discussion.

On June 10, 2026, Congressman Chip Roy (TX) introduced the Stop Subsidizing Political Lawfare by Charities Act (Stop SPLC Act), legislation that would revoke SPLC’s tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.