SPLC asks judge to weigh sanctions against DOJ for sending out unsigned indictment copy
Summary
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) asked a federal judge to consider punishing prosecutors after the Justice Department shared an unsigned and unofficial draft of a new indictment against the SPLC with the media. The SPLC claims this broke federal rules meant to keep grand jury matters secret and could unfairly harm their reputation.Key Facts
- The Justice Department obtained a new indictment against the SPLC with additional allegations about misuse of donations related to hate groups.
- The charges remain the same: wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
- An unsigned, unstamped draft of the indictment was shared with news reporters before it was officially filed or shown to SPLC lawyers.
- Sharing this draft allegedly breaks grand jury secrecy rules which protect sensitive case information.
- The draft document shared contained hidden details such as who wrote and last edited it.
- Some wording in the draft was different from the final official indictment.
- SPLC lawyers said this early leak could create a one-sided story in the media that the SPLC cannot properly respond to yet.
- The lead prosecutor was unsure why the draft was leaked and said they needed to look into it.
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