A coalition of 19 Republican attorneys general has launched a criminal investigation into ActBlue, the Democrat fundraising platform, over allegations of money laundering. This investigation follows reports from investigative groups like O’Keefe Media Group and Election Watch, which claimed that millions of dollars were laundered through the platform using unwitting small donors.
The practice, known as “smurfing,” involves breaking up large donations and submitting them under different names to avoid detection and bypass campaign finance laws. ActBlue has been under suspicion of this activity since Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign, and concerns have grown during the 2024 election cycle.
Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) initiated a probe into ActBlue in November 2023. His investigation widened in August 2024, urging the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to require more stringent donation verification methods, including card verification values (CVV) and prohibiting donations through gift or prepaid cards.
The 19 attorneys general have sent a letter to ActBlue CEO Regina Wallace-Jones, demanding answers about suspicious donations and measures to prevent illegal contributions. They have requested explanations about how ActBlue ensures compliance with state and federal laws, especially regarding donations that appear disproportionate to a donor’s financial history or political affiliation.
The investigation raises significant concerns about election integrity and transparency in political donations. With ActBlue already raising billions of dollars in the 2024 cycle, the attorneys general are seeking assurances that contributions are made legally and transparently.