Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has launched a civil investigation into the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), alleging the nonprofit may have engaged in deceptive and unfair practices tied to charitable solicitations and fundraising.
According to an announcement from the attorney general’s office, an investigative subpoena has been issued requiring the SPLC to produce documents and other evidence by May 25, 2026. The inquiry focuses on how the organization raises and uses donations, particularly in connection with allegations that it pays informants and whether those practices were disclosed to donors.
In a statement, Uthmeier said the SPLC raises millions of dollars annually while allegedly compensating individuals connected to groups it tracks. He added that the investigation will determine whether any fundraising representations to donors were misleading and whether legal violations occurred.
The subpoena outlines a broad set of records the SPLC must provide. These include materials showing how the organization communicated with Florida donors about its activities, including any use of informants, as well as marketing and advertising documents used in fundraising efforts. Investigators are also seeking records identifying any names or entities used to solicit donations on the SPLC’s behalf.
Additional requests focus on changes to the organization’s website or other communications related to how donations are solicited, how funds are allocated, and whether those disclosures have been updated over time. The subpoena also seeks documentation of all websites used by the SPLC to collect donations and records detailing the amount of contributions received from Florida donors.
Financial records are a central part of the investigation. The attorney general’s office is requesting documents showing how donated funds were distributed, including any payments made directly or indirectly to informants, as well as internal policies governing such payments. The subpoena also seeks information on what portion of the SPLC’s annual budget may be tied to informant-related costs.
The inquiry further requests internal communications related to whether the use of informants was disclosed to donors, along with examples of communications sent to Florida donors about how their contributions were used. Investigators are also asking for documents related to the SPLC’s nonprofit status and any representations it has made to financial institutions, technology companies, or other organizations regarding its programs and activities.
As of now, the SPLC has not publicly responded to the investigation. The outcome will depend on the materials produced and any findings by the attorney general’s office regarding compliance with Florida laws governing charitable solicitations.
