The Southern Poverty Law Center pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal fraud charges filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Alabama. A representative for the civil rights organization entered the plea during the group's first court appearance in the case.

The 11-count indictment filed last month alleges the SPLC committed fraud and money laundering in connection with a program that paid informants to monitor right-wing extremist groups. Prosecutors claim the organization funneled more than $3 million through this informant program, though the specific nature of the alleged wrongdoing has not been detailed publicly.

The informant program in question no longer exists, according to court documents. The program was designed to gather intelligence on extremist organizations, but prosecutors allege it was used improperly to funnel money to sources within those groups.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Alabama, which covers Montgomery, the state capital where the SPLC is headquartered. The charges were brought during the final weeks of the Trump administration.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, founded in 1971, is known for tracking hate groups and filing civil rights lawsuits. The organization has faced various controversies in recent years, including internal disputes over workplace culture and leadership changes.

Legal experts have noted that fraud cases involving nonprofit organizations can be complex, particularly when they involve intelligence-gathering activities. The case will now proceed through the federal court system, with the SPLC maintaining its innocence of all charges.