Federal judge rejects SPLC's bid to dismiss fraud case brought by Trump admin after left-wing org claims 'vindictive' prosecution

A federal judge has rejected a bid from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) to dismiss the Trump administration’s case against the left-wing nonprofit as a “vindictive” prosecution. This comes after the Department of Justice under the Trump administration charged the SPLC with wire fraud and alleged that the organization defrauded donors by paying money to people who were part of white supremacy groups.

US District Judge Emily Marks wrote in the order that the SPLC failed to prove that there was “animus” on the part of the prosecutors who brought the case in Alabama, despite being critical of statements made by President Donald Trump and other high-ranking officials.

“The court has little trouble concluding that the SPLC offers insufficient objective evidence that Mr. Davidson or any other prosecutor in the Middle District of Alabama was vindictively motivated to indict the SPLC for the exercise of its First Amendment rights. Nor does the SPLC provide evidence that Mr. Davidson was directed to bring the present charges by a superior with a vindictive motive,” the judge wrote.

The indictment brought against the SPLC accused the organization of wire fraud, bank fraud, as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Prosecutors said that despite their claims of innocence, the SPLC was secretly paying informants in groups such as the Ku Klux Klan without knowledge from donors.

"The SPLC actively led donors to believe that their donations would be used to 'dismantle' violent extremist groups. However, the SPLC hid from donors the fact that a portion of their donated funds was being secretly used to support extremist groups and to fund their violent, racist, and extremist activities," an indictment against the SPLC stated. "These activities were of the same nature as the activities about which the SPLC published articles on its website and other forums in an effort to obtain donations."

In response to the decision from the judge, an SPLC spokesperson said, “While the Southern Poverty Law Center is disappointed with the outcome of the motion, we will continue to vigorously defend ourselves, our staff and our work.”

Per The Hill, the SPLC added, “SPLC will continue to fight hate, and we will continue to envision and create a safer and more just world. The actions by the DOJ will not shake our resolve to fight for justice and ensure the promise of the Civil Rights movement becomes a reality for all."