The House Judiciary Committee convened a hearing Tuesday morning to examine the Southern Poverty Law Center, as the civil rights organization faces significant legal challenges from the Justice Department.

SPLC interim CEO Bryan Fair testified before the committee as the nonprofit confronts an 11-count federal indictment alleging fraud. The charges stem from accusations that the organization engaged in financial misconduct, including alleged secret payments to extremist groups.

The Southern Poverty Law Center announced in April that it was under investigation by the Justice Department. In May, the organization pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against it. The case has drawn attention to the SPLC's financial practices and operations.

The hearing comes months after the Trump administration first accused the civil rights group of improperly funneling money to extremist organizations. The SPLC, founded in 1971, has long been known for tracking hate groups and pursuing civil rights litigation in the American South.

The committee's examination of the SPLC represents the latest congressional oversight of organizations involved in civil rights work and hate group monitoring. The hearing provided lawmakers an opportunity to question Fair about the organization's practices and the federal charges it faces.

The outcome of both the congressional hearing and the federal case could have significant implications for the SPLC's future operations and its role in civil rights advocacy.