Florida Launches Criminal Investigation into Andrew and Tristan Tate
Image credit: Anything Goes With James English, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Florida has launched a criminal investigation into social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate, days after they returned to the U.S. from Romania, where they face human trafficking and rape charges. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on Tuesday that his office had begun an inquiry, stating, “Based on a thorough review of the evidence, I’ve directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to execute search warrants and issue subpoenas in the now-active criminal investigation into the Tate brothers.”
The Tate brothers, who hold both U.S. and British citizenship, were arrested in Romania in late 2022 and indicted last year for allegedly luring women to the country for sexual exploitation. Andrew Tate, 38, also faces a rape charge, which he denies. Their return to Florida has drawn backlash, with Governor Ron DeSantis saying they were “not welcome” in the state and questioning whether local authorities had jurisdiction over their alleged crimes.
In addition to their legal troubles in Romania, the Tates face multiple cases in the U.K. and U.S. British authorities are seeking Andrew Tate’s extradition on separate rape and human trafficking charges, while in Florida, the brothers are also being sued in a civil case by a woman who claims they coerced her into sex work and later defamed her.
The brothers, known for their controversial social media presence and outspoken support of Donald Trump, claim they are being unfairly targeted. Speaking on the PPD Podcast, Andrew Tate accused DeSantis of “caving to media pressure” and insisted he had the right to return to the U.S. as a citizen. Their lawyer, Joseph McBride, criticized Uthmeier’s comments, calling them “inflammatory” and “biased.”
Despite the serious allegations, the Tate brothers continue to maintain their innocence. They are expected to return to Romania at the end of March as part of their legal obligations, but it remains unclear whether they will comply.
