Silence from SPLC Donors Amid Allegations
Notable backers of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), such as George Clooney and George Soros, have remained quiet following serious allegations that the nonprofit diverted over $3 million to hate groups that it claims to oppose.
On Wednesday, the SPLC faced indictments related to wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering. Federal prosecutors allege that the organization funded leaders and members of at least eight extremist groups, actions taken without the knowledge of its wealthy donors.
Despite the severity of the accusations, neither Clooney nor Soros’ foundation, along with other major supporters like MGM Resorts, have commented on the Justice Department’s findings.
The SPLC has not only ignored requests from various media for statements regarding the indictment but also stands accused of supplying funds that allegedly helped disseminate hateful content through insiders in these extremist groups.
Many donors to the SPLC, including the George Clooney Foundation, former Apple CEO Tim Cook, and JPMorgan, made commitments following the violent aftermath of the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Virginia, which resulted in a protester’s death.
Unbeknownst to these benefactors, the SPLC allegedly funneled money to individuals involved in organizing the rally, according to the recent indictment.
Other major contributors include Soros’ Open Society Foundations, OpenAI, and Chick-Fil-A. The latter faced scrutiny back in 2017 for donating to the SPLC, which has labeled Christian groups as hate organizations.
Chick-Fil-A clarified that their involvement consisted of a one-time donation of $2,500 made about a decade ago, requested by a former advisory board member. They insist there’s no ongoing connection or support.
The Justice Department’s investigation claims that the SPLC misled donors and law enforcement while financially supporting a covert agent known as “F,” tasked with gathering intelligence on organizations like the Ku Klux Klan and the Aryan Nation.
Such expenditures raised concerns among civil rights activists about the SPLC’s true intentions. For instance, the organization allegedly paid around $270,000 over eight years to leaders involved in organizing the notorious Charlottesville rally, where racist chants and Nazi symbols were prevalent.
Critics have voiced their concerns, including veteran civil rights activist Bob Woodson and Curtis T. Hill Jr., a former Indiana attorney general. Hill suggested that if the allegations hold water, the SPLC should be systematically dismantled.
He emphasized that the organization’s objectives seem to revolve around financial self-preservation, stating, “Sustaining hatred costs money,” and adding that if proven accurate, the SPLC’s fundraising efforts contribute to its own survival.
