Trump’s justice department arrests expert on far right as part of SPLC crackdown

Prosecutors charge Heidi Beirich with financial crimes as part of case against the Southern Poverty Law Center

The justice department on Wednesday arrested a leading expert on far-right extremism, charging her with financial crimes as part of the government's ongoing case against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

Federal prosecutors charged Heidi Beirich, who formerly served as the group's chief financial officer, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to submit false statements to a federally insured bank and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering.