Several Proud Boys Chapters Declare Autonomy After Leader Uncovered as ‘Prolific Informer’ – By Karim Zidan (RightWingWatch) / Feb 3 2021
The Proud Boys—a far-right, neo-fascist hate group that played a key role in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection—appears to be splintering into separate entities.
A handful of Proud Boys chapters have declared autonomy from the group’s leadership following recent reports that Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was a “prolific” informant for the FBI and local law enforcement following his arrest in 2012 for rebranding and reselling stolen medical devices. Tarrio reportedly worked undercover for investigators to “aid in the prosecution of those running other, separate criminal enterprises, ranging from running marijuana grow houses in Miami to operating pharmaceutical fraud schemes.”
Among those who have released “public declarations of separation” are the four chapters of the Indiana Proud Boys as well as the Tulsa Proud Boys in Oklahoma.
“We condemn the actions of Tarrio while cooperating with federal law enforcement as a confidential informant,” the Tulsa Proud Boys wrote on Telegram. “We will continue to operate as Proud Boys but recognize no centralized leader or leadership beyond chapter officers … We are not a criminal organization, militia, fight club or political movement. We are merely a men’s drinking club.”
