Fraud Investigation of SPLC CFO

The SPLC hid from donors that some of their money

funded violence, racism, extremist

activities. Beierich's attorney says the case

is without merit.

Here's Attorney General Todd Blanche.

There is a new indictment that includes the, the former

CFO of SPLC. As alleged in the indictment, um, this

individual, uh, participated in the scheme as alleged.

I, I believe she was part of the effort to

open bank

accounts in complete fictitious companies' names and, and make payments that, to,

to individuals for reasons that were, that were not, um, um,

that they were not accurate as, as described.

The massive fraud investigation into the Southern Poverty Law Center now

targeting the California woman who once controlled the

organization's money. After surrendering to authorities, Heidi

Beierich made her first federal court appearance yesterday in Riverside.

The 59-year-old former chief financial officer faces federal

charges including wire fraud and money laundering.

Prosecutors say starting in 2007, she and the SPLC

funneled more than $4 million in tax-exempt donor

cash to some of the hate groups it claimed to be fighting,

including the Ku Klux Klan.