I doubt it. I mean, fraud can be ratified in theory, but that's civil. A criminal violation is one against the state, even though a citizen may be the effected party, e.g. murder, so I don't see how a private citizen can ratify a criminal violation.

The SPLC's best move would be to offer return of donations at this time. They can do it without admitting fault and it may earn them some leniency should they lose.

They just say...

> We've been accused

> We believe the allegations false

> Nonetheless, we respect donors and understand that some of you may feel ... so we are offering ...

It's also good PR and I assume most people wouldn't ask for their money back, so it's not a huge loss financially.

Calling it a political attack is a bad look. It's smells of a Clintonesque cover even if it's not.