ActBlue, the major Democrat fundraising platform, is under investigation by 19 Republican attorneys general over allegations of money laundering. The investigation was launched after reports surfaced that large donations were being laundered through unsuspecting small donors in a process known as “smurfing.”
Independent groups like O’Keefe Media Group and Election Watch have been at the forefront of exposing these alleged activities, claiming that millions of dollars in donations were processed through ActBlue using fraudulent methods. The allegations have persisted since the 2020 election and have now escalated during the 2024 cycle.
Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) initiated a congressional investigation into ActBlue in 2023, expanding the probe in 2024. He has called for the FEC to tighten its rules on online donations, specifically pushing for verification of CVV numbers and a ban on prepaid card donations. Now, 19 GOP attorneys general are seeking answers from ActBlue’s CEO Regina Wallace-Jones.
With billions of dollars flowing through ActBlue this election cycle, the investigation has raised concerns about the integrity of the platform and the legality of the donations. The Republican attorneys general are demanding transparency and compliance with campaign finance laws to ensure the upcoming election is free from fraudulent practices.