In 2018, 47 hate groups were tracked in New York

The hearing marks a fall from grace for a man who has been a vocal proponent of the neo-Confederate movement for the past two decades.

Much of Crews’ history in the neo-Confederate movement was scrubbed from the web after questions about his legal practice emerged. A review of material archived by Hatewatch staff documents the ways Crews promoted online harassment and web trolling. He also fundraised and advocated for the creation of organizations designed to attack and discredit opponents.