US lawmakers say DoJ rushed Southern Poverty Law Center indictment, citing whistleblower
US lawmakers allege that the Department of Justice, under acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, rushed the indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center despite prosecutors' concerns about the case's strength. A whistleblower, Aakash Singh, claimed that pressure was applied to file charges related to a defunct informant program involving alleged fraud and money laundering. Democrats have opened an investigation, while legal experts and the SPLC have questioned the validity and motives behind the charges.
- ▪A whistleblower accused a Justice Department lawyer of pressuring prosecutors to rush the SPLC indictment despite concerns about its strength.
- ▪The SPLC faces 11 counts including wire fraud and money laundering over a program that paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups.
- ▪Democrats Jamie Raskin and Mary Gay Scanlon are investigating the matter, citing potential political motivation behind the charges.
- ▪The Justice Department claimed the case was built over years and that the U.S. Attorney had full confidence in it.
- ▪SPLC denies wrongdoing, and its lawyers have sought a court order to stop government officials from making prejudicial public statements.
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Todd Blanche, the acting US attorney general, speaks during a press conference at the justice department in Washington DC on 29 April. Photograph: Kylie Cooper/ReutersView image in fullscreenTodd Blanche, the acting US attorney general, speaks during a press conference at the justice department in Washington DC on 29 April. Photograph: Kylie Cooper/ReutersUS newsUS lawmakers say DoJ rushed Southern Poverty Law Center indictment, citing whistleblowerDemocrats accuse Todd Blanche of pressuring prosecutors for charges ‘despite serious concerns’ about case’s strength Sign up for the Breaking News US newsletter email US politics live – latest updates Sam Levine in New YorkFri 1 May 2026 15.02 EDTLast modified on Fri 1 May 2026 15.03 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleA justice department…
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