4 Things to Know About Former Obama Aide Hired by SPLC to Review Discrimination Charges

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Heritage Foundation

The onetime chief of staff to former first lady Michelle Obama is leading an internal investigation into the Southern Poverty Law Center’s alleged workplace misconduct that led to the exit of its top two officials. 

Tina Tchen, a prominent lawyer in Chicago, has also found herself in the middle of the controversy surrounding “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett, who was indicted for faking a hate crime before state prosecutors dropped the charges without offering a full explanation. 

Morris Dees, the co-founder of the SPLC, stepped down from the organization amid vague charges of discrimination. SPLC President Richard Cohen wasn’t accused of wrongdoing, but also resigned “to give the organization the best chance to heal.” The organization was reportedly fending off a staff revolt. 

The SPLC is a liberal activist legal group that regularly labelsorganizations and individuals that it disagrees with as “hate groups.”