In a deposition, Burt Colucci, the new National Socialist Movement leader, said he still exchanged regular text messages with Mr. Schoep. In one exchange in October, Mr. Schoep warned Mr. Colucci that someone making threats against him may have been a federal informant trying to entrap him, according to the motion. Critics say Mr. Schoep is simply trying escape legal liability, but he contends his new life has nothing to do with the lawsuits, and that he has put himself in danger by renouncing his former ways. Some who have witnessed the racism that Mr. Schoep has promoted over the years wonder why he should be shown mercy and forgiveness when they have been made to suffer. The National Socialist Movement, or N.S.M., grew to 61 chapters in 35 states under Mr. Schoep, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a legal advocacy group.

Source: New York Times April 04, 2020 19:09 UTC