Voice of America
05 Mar 2025, 07:43 GMT+10
Florida's attorney general announced Tuesday that his office has opened a criminal investigation into Andrew and Tristan Tate, brothers who are charged with human trafficking in Romania, days after they returned to the United States.
Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on social media that he directed his office to work with law enforcement to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the Tate brothers.
"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," Uthmeier said.
After the Tates landed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Thursday, Governor Ron DeSantis told reporters that the brothers weren't welcome in the state, and that he would have the attorney general examine whether the state may have any jurisdiction over their alleged crimes.
During an appearance Monday on the PPD Podcast, Andrew Tate said the governor was caving to media pressure. Tate said he has a U.S. passport and a right to visit his home country. He said he has broken no laws and that he has never even been tried, let alone convicted, of a crime.
The Tates, who are dual U.S.-British citizens, were arrested in late 2022 and formally indicted last year in Romania on charges they participated in a criminal ring that lured women to that country, where they were sexually exploited. Andrew Tate was also charged with rape. They deny the allegations.
Andrew Tate, 38, is a former professional kickboxer and self-described misogynist who is a hugely successful social media figure, attracting millions of followers, many of them young men and schoolchildren drawn in by the luxurious lifestyle the influencer projects online. He and his 36-year-old brother, Tristan, are vocal supporters of President Donald Trump.
Andrew Tate previously was banned from TikTok, YouTube and Facebook for hate speech and his misogynistic comments, including that women should bear responsibility for getting sexually assaulted.
The Tates left Romania after Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu said this month that a Trump administration official expressed interest in the brothers' case at the recent Munich Security Conference.
Get a daily dose of Orlando Echo news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Orlando Echo.
More InformationLONDON, UK: As global tensions rise and Europe's defense posture shifts, the UK is ramping up its military readiness with a 1.5 billion...
CHICAGO, Illinois: A simple blood test could help breast cancer patients get the proper treatment earlier, potentially halving their...
PRAGUE, Czech Republic: Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blažek resigned this week because of a scandal involving bitcoins. Earlier this...
SINGAPORE: On May 31, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told America's Indo-Pacific allies that they would not be left alone to deal...
JERUSALEM (CNN) - Palestinians on their way to receive aid from a distribution site in southern Gaza have come under fire for a third...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Tensions reignite in the U.S.-China trade truce after President Donald Trump accused Beijing of violating a recent...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Rising mortgage rates and economic uncertainty are leaving many Americans unsure about whether to buy a home—just...
New research has indicated a 33% higher incidence of kidney cancer among Ozempic users compared to non-users Ozempic and similar...
Washington [US], June 1 (ANI): The makers of the Matt Damon and Ben Affleck starrer 'The RIP' have unveiled the premiere date of the...
St Petersburg is set to bar many foreign nationals from courier and taxi work until 2026 ...
WASHINGTON, 27th May, 2025 (WAM) -- A motorboat with 13 people on board exploded in Fort Lauderdale, US state of Florida, on Monday...
RAS AL KHAIMAH, 19th May, 2025 (WAM) -- H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, in...