Florida Attorney General Initiates Criminal Investigation Into Tate Brothers
State investigators have been directed to carry out search warrants and issue subpoenas in their inquiry into the Tate brothers following the charges they encountered in Romania, according to James Uthmeier.
TroibNews 
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — On Tuesday, State Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that a criminal investigation has been opened into Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan, following their arrival in Florida last week.
Uthmeier stated that state investigators have been directed to execute search warrants and issue subpoenas related to the Tate brothers. This development comes after they faced charges in Romania, which include allegations of human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal organization to sexually exploit women. Andrew Tate, a far-right influencer, and his brother were arrested near Bucharest in December 2022 and remained in Romania until their recent trip to Florida, enabled by the lifting of their travel ban by Romanian authorities.
Prior to the investigation's launch, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis indicated that the Tate brothers would not be welcomed in the state.
“These guys have themselves publicly admitted to participating in what very much appears to be soliciting, trafficking, preying upon women around the world,” Uthmeier said in an interview shared on social media. “People can spin or defend however they want. But in Florida, this type of behavior is viewed as atrocious.”
The attorney general's announcement followed Andrew Tate's disappointment expressed on Monday regarding DeSantis' unwelcoming response to their presence in Fort Lauderdale.
During a recent podcast, Tate questioned the governor's reaction, suggesting that DeSantis should have stated, “as far as we’re concerned, he’s broken no laws.” He added, “Isn’t the whole point of democracy, innocent until proven guilty? I’ve yet to even have a trial, let alone a conviction. I’ve never even been tried after three years. I’ve never been to trial.”
Romania’s Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism noted that while they had accepted a request from the Tate brothers to leave Romania, the brothers remain under investigation and are currently under “judicial control,” which requires them to return to Romania in March.
As of Tuesday evening, further details regarding Florida's investigation were not available.
“They chose to come here and set their feet down in this state, and we’re going to pursue every tool we have within our legal authority to hold them accountable,” Uthmeier stated.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
Uthmeier stated that state investigators have been directed to execute search warrants and issue subpoenas related to the Tate brothers. This development comes after they faced charges in Romania, which include allegations of human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal organization to sexually exploit women. Andrew Tate, a far-right influencer, and his brother were arrested near Bucharest in December 2022 and remained in Romania until their recent trip to Florida, enabled by the lifting of their travel ban by Romanian authorities.
Prior to the investigation's launch, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis indicated that the Tate brothers would not be welcomed in the state.
“These guys have themselves publicly admitted to participating in what very much appears to be soliciting, trafficking, preying upon women around the world,” Uthmeier said in an interview shared on social media. “People can spin or defend however they want. But in Florida, this type of behavior is viewed as atrocious.”
The attorney general's announcement followed Andrew Tate's disappointment expressed on Monday regarding DeSantis' unwelcoming response to their presence in Fort Lauderdale.
During a recent podcast, Tate questioned the governor's reaction, suggesting that DeSantis should have stated, “as far as we’re concerned, he’s broken no laws.” He added, “Isn’t the whole point of democracy, innocent until proven guilty? I’ve yet to even have a trial, let alone a conviction. I’ve never even been tried after three years. I’ve never been to trial.”
Romania’s Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism noted that while they had accepted a request from the Tate brothers to leave Romania, the brothers remain under investigation and are currently under “judicial control,” which requires them to return to Romania in March.
As of Tuesday evening, further details regarding Florida's investigation were not available.
“They chose to come here and set their feet down in this state, and we’re going to pursue every tool we have within our legal authority to hold them accountable,” Uthmeier stated.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
