Maryland District Court Dismisses Glen Allen’s Complaint Against SPLC; Allen Will Appeal

On November 13, 2019, Judge Katherine Blake dismissed Glen Allen’s complaint against Heidi Beirich and the Southern Poverty Law Center.  Allen had filed his complaint in the federal court in December 2018., alleging nine counts, including claims under the Racketeer and Corrupt Organizations (“RICO”) statute and common law claims for tortious interference and defamation.  After the SPLC defendants moved to dismiss, briefing on that motion had been completed in April 2019.

Allen was highly critical of the court’s decision.  “Obviously I’m disappointed in the result,” he stated. “but I’m also disappointed in the weakness and illogic of the court’s reasoning.  The court committed numerous flagrant errors, both procedurally and in its interpretation of the substantive law.  I will absolutely be appealing the decision to the Fourth Circuit.”