State Rep. Joseph Fox today voted with House Republicans to call on Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to disclose information regarding the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) following recent indictments from the Department of Justice.  

House Resolution 313, introduced by Rep. Rachelle Smit, urges Benson to release all information in her possession related to the SPLC, including details regarding the organization’s alleged payments to individuals associated with extremist groups. The resolution also calls on Benson to publicly address her role in the organization. 

The resolution comes after the Department of Justice indicted the SPLC for allegedly defrauding donors by claiming to fight extremism while actively funding extremist groups through various bank accounts. 

“What we need is transparency,” said Fox (R-Fremont). “The accusations that have been made against the SPLC are extremely troubling. When an organization like the SPLC is accused of funding extremists, the people of Michigan deserve to know who was involved and to what extent. Considering Benson’s previous role as a board member of the SPLC and her work as an undercover investigator for the organization, she needs to disclose what she knew, and when she knew it. Anything less would be a betrayal to the people of this state.”