TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Following their return to the United States, Florida’s Attorney General announced on Tuesday the launch of a criminal investigation into Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are facing human trafficking charges in Romania.
Attorney General James Uthmeier stated that he has directed his office to collaborate with law enforcement to conduct a preliminary investigation into the Tate brothers.
Uthmeier said that after a comprehensive review of the evidence, he instructed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to execute search warrants and issue subpoenas in the now-active criminal investigation of the Tate brothers.
After the Tates arrived in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, Governor Ron DeSantis informed reporters that the brothers were not welcome in Florida. He also mentioned that he would have the attorney general look into whether the state has jurisdiction over their alleged crimes.
During a recent appearance on the PPD Podcast, Andrew Tate claimed that the governor was yielding to media pressure. Tate asserted that he possesses a U.S. passport and has the right to visit his home country. He maintained that he has not broken any laws and has never been tried or convicted of any crime.
The Tates, who hold dual U.S.-British citizenship, were arrested in late 2022 and formally charged last year in Romania for allegedly participating in a criminal organization that enticed women to the country for sexual exploitation. Andrew Tate was also charged with rape. They deny all accusations.
Andrew Tate, 38, a former professional kickboxer and self-proclaimed misogynist, is a highly influential social media personality with millions of followers, many of whom are young men and schoolchildren drawn to the luxurious lifestyle he portrays online. He and his 36-year-old brother, Tristan, are outspoken supporters of President Donald Trump.
Andrew Tate was previously banned from platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook due to hate speech and misogynistic comments, including statements suggesting women are responsible for their own sexual assaults.
The Tates departed Romania after Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu indicated that a Trump administration official expressed interest in their case during the recent Munich Security Conference.