The Tate brothers, notorious influencers facing serious charges in Romania, are now under criminal investigation in Florida. The inquiry involves search warrants related to sex work coercion claims, while they continue to deny all allegations across multiple jurisdictions.
Florida Initiates Criminal Probe Against Influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate
Florida Initiates Criminal Probe Against Influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate
Andrew and Tristan Tate face a criminal investigation in Florida as allegations of sex work coercion and defamation surface alongside previous charges in Romania.
Florida has opened a criminal investigation into British-American social media personalities Andrew and Tristan Tate, who recently traveled from Romania to the state. The brothers are under scrutiny due to their ongoing legal troubles, including serious allegations of rape and human trafficking in Romania. The Attorney General of Florida, James Uthmeier, confirmed that law enforcement has been directed to issue search warrants and subpoenas in connection with this "active" investigation.
Separately in the United States, the Tates are facing a civil lawsuit initiated by a woman who claims they forced her into sex work and subsequently defamed her after she cooperated with Romanian authorities regarding the ongoing case. The brothers have categorically denied these allegations.
Andrew Tate, 38, and his brother Tristan, 36, have garnered millions of followers online despite their controversial views, particularly Andrew's identification as a misogynist and his previous participation in the UK reality show Big Brother. Both brothers are under investigation in the UK for rape and human trafficking; they also reject all of these claims.
Attorney General Uthmeier, a member of the Republican Party, expressed that the inquiry is prompted by evidence that merits further investigation. “Last week, I directed my office to work with our law enforcement partners to conduct a preliminary inquiry into Andrew and Tristan Tate,” Uthmeier stated, solidifying the investigation's seriousness.
Responding to the investigation, the Tates' attorney, Joseph McBride, criticized Uthmeier's comments, labeling them as “inflammatory” and indicative of bias, particularly as they pertain to an ongoing lawsuit the Tates have filed in Florida against a woman allegedly involved in their legal challenges. McBride asserted that Uthmeier stepped beyond his ethical bounds in publicly voicing his opinions on the matter.
The brothers previously faced arrest in Romania in December 2022, where Andrew was accused of rape and human trafficking while Tristan was implicated in human trafficking as well. Since their arrest, they have spent significant periods under house arrest, but their legal woes are far from over. In August 2024, they encountered new allegations related to underage trafficking and sexual misconduct, which they likewise dispute.
The Tates are also subject to a request for extradition from police in Bedfordshire, UK, tied to different allegations, including rape and tax evasion. Meanwhile, four British women have filed a civil suit in the High Court, alleging they were sexually coerced and controlled by Andrew Tate, pressing UK authorities for legal recourse they feel was not available in Romania.
