SPLC Challenges DOJ Use Of Key Informant In Federal Fraud Case
The Southern Poverty Law Center asked a federal judge on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, to order informant "F-9" to preserve documents and be made available for defense subpoenas.[1]
The motion says the Justice Department let F-9 decide which documents, recordings and photos to hand over.[1] It says F-9 has a "house full of documents" and told agents he planned to "shred" some materials instead of producing them.[1] Defense lawyers say F-9 has met investigators more than 20 times since November 2025 and exchanged about 1,800 texts with lead FBI and IRS agents.[1] They say he produced four PowerPoint "intelligence briefings" totaling 162 pages.[1]
The SPLC was indicted on 11 counts of wire fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering; former executive Heidi Beirich faces related conspiracy charges, and all have pleaded not guilty.[1] The new motion asks a judge to let the defense subpoena F-9 and to order him to preserve electronic and physical materials for review.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Wednesday, October 28, 2026, SPLC lawyers filed a motion asking a judge to order witness 'F-9' to preserve documents and to allow the defense to subpoena him.
- The motion alleges DOJ allowed F-9, a former SPLC informant, to decide which documents, recordings and photos to turn over, despite having a 'house full of documents' and plans to 'shred' some.
- Defense says that since November 2025 F-9 has met investigators more than 20 times, exchanged about 1,800 texts with lead FBI and IRS agents, and delivered four PowerPoint 'intelligence briefings' totaling 162 pages.
- SPLC is under federal indictment on 11 counts of wire fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, and former executive Heidi Beirich is separately charged with related conspiracies; all have pleaded not guilty.
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