Florida Launches Criminal Investigation into Tate Brothers Amid Controversy

The criminal investigation into the Tate brothers intensifies as they navigate legal challenges both in the U.S. and Romania, raising questions about their future and the implications of their allegations.

Florida has initiated a criminal investigation into British-American influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate, who recently arrived in the state from Romania, where they faced serious accusations of rape and human trafficking. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced this week that investigators have begun executing search warrants and issuing subpoenas as part of this "now-active" inquiry.

In addition to these charges, the Tate brothers are also contending with a civil lawsuit in the U.S. from a woman claiming they coerced her into sex work and subsequently defamed her after she reported them to Romanian authorities. Both brothers vehemently deny all allegations against them.

Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer known for his extreme misogynistic views and a stint on the UK reality show Big Brother, boasts millions of online followers. Alongside him, his brother Tristan faces similar charges, with both having previously denied all allegations made against them.

Attorney General Uthmeier, a Republican, stated, "Last week, I directed my office to work with our law enforcement partners to conduct a preliminary inquiry into Andrew and Tristan Tate." He confirmed that based on evidence reviewed, the attorneys' office has moved forward with the criminal investigation.

In response to the investigation, the Tate brothers' attorney, Joseph McBride, issued a statement criticizing Uthmeier for what he described as unethical conduct in taking sides regarding an ongoing lawsuit. McBride claimed the attorney general's remarks were "inflammatory" and "biased" against his clients.

The Tates were initially arrested in Romania in December 2022, facing allegations of rape and human trafficking. They relocated from the UK to Romania several years prior. After spending months under house arrest following their arrest, new allegations were brought against them in August 2024, including sex with a minor and trafficking underage individuals, all of which continue to be denied by the brothers.

It is reported that the Tates are expected to return to Bucharest by the end of March to meet prosecutorial conditions, although their compliance remains uncertain. Furthermore, the police in Bedfordshire, UK, are still pursuing Andrew's extradition based on separate allegations of rape, human trafficking, and tax evasion.

In the UK, four British women have also filed a civil case against Andrew Tate in the High Court, alleging a history of rape and coercive control, with the plaintiffs expressing concerns over the lack of criminal prosecution in Romania and seeking action from UK authorities instead.