The Southern Poverty Law Center’s revenue surged following the 2017 Charlottesville rally, raising questions after a Department of Justice indictment alleged the group funded an informant connected to the event’s organizers.
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) experienced a dramatic increase in revenue in the months following the 2017 Charlottesville “Unite the Right” rally, an event that left one woman dead and became a significant cultural flashpoint regarding white nationalism and political violence. This surge in donations has come under renewed scrutiny following a Department of Justice (DOJ) indictment that alleges the SPLC funded an informant linked to the rally’s organizers.
The rally, which took place in August 2017, sparked widespread condemnation and led to a notable increase in donations to civil rights organizations, including the SPLC. The fallout from the event also influenced the political landscape, particularly shaping the 2020 presidential election. President Donald Trump faced criticism for his comments regarding the rally, particularly his reference to “very fine people on both sides.” Former President Joe Biden later cited the events in Charlottesville as a pivotal reason for his decision to run for president.
In a statement on social media, journalist Batya Ungar-Sargon highlighted the allegations against the SPLC, suggesting that the group’s funding of the rally’s organizers raises questions about its role in amplifying extremist activity. “For years, the Left used the ‘Jews will not replace us’ 2017 Unite the Right rally as proof of rampant antisemitism on the Right. Turns out, it was underwritten by the Leftist SPLC, which allegedly funded organizers, supervised racist posts, and coordinated transportation,” she wrote.
The DOJ’s indictment claims that the SPLC has been involved in a network of informants dating back to the 1980s, including a “covert network” that has infiltrated groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. One informant, identified as “F-37,” was reportedly part of an online leadership chat group that planned the 2017 rally. According to the indictment, F-37 attended the event at the SPLC’s direction, made racist postings under the group’s supervision, and helped coordinate transportation for attendees. Between 2015 and 2023, the SPLC allegedly paid F-37 over $270,000.
A spokesperson for the SPLC responded to the allegations, stating that the organization is reviewing the charges and calling them “false.” The spokesperson defended the SPLC’s work in monitoring extremist groups, asserting that its use of informants has “saved lives.” The SPLC plans to vigorously defend itself while continuing its mission to combat hate.
Despite the serious allegations, the SPLC’s financial growth following the Charlottesville rally is notable. In 2016, the organization reported total public support and net assets of over $51 million. By October 2017, that figure had surged to approximately $133 million. This increase was fueled in part by donations from high-profile public figures, including actor George Clooney and Apple CEO Tim Cook. Clooney and his wife, Amal, expressed their desire to contribute to the fight for equality, stating, “there are no two sides to bigotry and hate.” Cook echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the events in Charlottesville were unacceptable and that unchecked hate can have devastating consequences.
In addition to individual donations, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Resorts contributed $1 million to the SPLC following the rally. The national Democratic Party also embraced anti-hate messaging promoted by the SPLC and other organizations in the wake of the violence.
Criticism of Trump’s initial response to the rally was widespread. He noted that some attendees were protesting the removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee, a Confederate general. Trump stated, “I was talking about people that went because they felt very strongly about the monument to Robert E. Lee, a great general. Whether you like it or not, he was one of the great generals.” In contrast, Biden remarked at the 2024 Democratic National Convention that he “ran for president in 2020 because of what I saw in Charlottesville,” describing the scene as filled with extremists carrying torches and Nazi symbols.
Trump has since referred to the backlash against his comments as the “‘very fine people’ hoax.” The 11-count indictment against the SPLC includes charges of wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If proven in court, these offenses could result in significant financial penalties, restitution, and forfeiture.
This ongoing situation continues to unfold, drawing attention to the SPLC’s operations and its role in the broader context of civil rights and extremism in America. As the organization prepares to defend itself against these serious allegations, the implications for its future and the civil rights landscape remain to be seen, according to Fox News Digital.