SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER says it faces criminal investigation by DOJ...

Main Idea: The Justice Department says it indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center on fraud charges over a secret informant program that prosecutors say misused donor money.

Key Points:

• Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the SPLC raised millions of dollars for an informant effort that prosecutors claim was hidden from donors.
• The indictment includes charges of wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering in federal court in Alabama.
• Prosecutors say the center used fake bank accounts and shell names to move money to informants inside extremist groups.
• The SPLC denies the allegations and says the program helped monitor threats and save lives.