MONTGOMERY — The Southern Poverty Law Center confirmed Monday that law enforcement was aware of its informant program. Law enforcement confirmed the same day that it was aware.

The SPLC, headquartered in Montgomery, issued a statement noting that Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche had made the organization's informant arrangements public. The SPLC's statement confirmed that law enforcement knew. The Department of Justice, which employs the Acting Attorney General who made the original announcement, is law enforcement. Law enforcement is therefore confirming what law enforcement already knew while the SPLC confirms what law enforcement already knew.

Both parties have confirmed the same fact. The fact has been confirmed twice.

Federal charges were filed against the SPLC in connection with the informant program, which the organization described as a program law enforcement was aware of. This reporter notes that charges being filed by law enforcement against an organization for a program law enforcement was aware of represents a sequence of events. The sequence has been confirmed.

The SPLC issued a denial of the charges. The Department of Justice has confirmed the charges. This reporter has read both documents. They do not agree on the question of whether the charges are warranted. They do agree that law enforcement was informed of the program.

Both parties were unavailable for further comment at press time. Both parties confirmed this.

The Green Tomato will continue to monitor both confirmations.