A recent investigation by the House Administration Committee has raised serious concerns over potential criminal activity linked to the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue. Led by Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI), the probe analyzed over 200 million contributions, uncovering suspicious patterns that suggest the platform may have been used to funnel illicit funds into Democratic campaigns. Steil has referred the findings to the attorneys general of five states—Texas, Florida, Virginia, Arkansas, and Missouri—urging further investigations.
At the heart of the probe is the allegation that ActBlue has facilitated illegal "straw donations." This involves exploiting unwitting individuals by using their identities to channel large sums of money into political campaigns, often exceeding legal limits. According to the investigation, many of these donations were linked to individuals whose net worth and donation history did not match the unusually high amounts attributed to them. The investigation also noted frequent contributions from elderly and first-time donors, raising concerns that these individuals may not have been aware of their involvement.
Dang. The would be “Trump assassin” was really breaking his bank with act blue donations.
Follow for more! pic.twitter.com/nbw4REHI23
— Bo (@dittletv) September 15, 2024
The committee's report found irregularities suggesting that ActBlue’s donation processes, which did not require credit card verification codes (CVVs), may have opened the door to foreign and illegal contributions. This lapse in security, combined with the whistleblower reports of anomalies in Federal Election Commission (FEC) donor records, prompted a comprehensive data analysis. The analysis uncovered trends that pointed to fraudulent activity, including donations disproportionate to a donor’s financial profile and sudden contributions to politicians with opposing ideologies.
One particularly troubling finding involved recurring donations from elderly individuals with limited financial means, which appeared inconsistent with their previous donation history. In some cases, these individuals were listed as contributing far beyond what they could realistically afford, fueling concerns of identity theft or fraud.
The Left: He's a Republican
Me: His Act Blue Donations say otherwise pic.twitter.com/6pMEudbKkR
— Mad Bull America (@america_mad) September 16, 2024
The findings led to Steil's call for new campaign finance legislation that would close loopholes by banning prepaid card donations and requiring full credit card verification for political contributions.
While the investigation is ongoing, ActBlue has denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated. In a statement earlier this year, the platform defended its practices, asserting that it complies with all relevant election laws. ActBlue has long been a key tool for Democratic fundraising, allowing small-dollar donors to contribute through recurring payments. The platform has accused Republicans of attempting to undermine the power of grassroots Democratic donors through scare tactics
Despite ActBlue's denial, the investigation has escalated, with some states already opening inquiries. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, for instance, launched a separate probe in August, citing the possibility of fraudulent transactions in donations made through ActBlue.
This investigation, which has been brewing since December 2023, is not the first time ActBlue has faced scrutiny. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton initiated an inquiry last year into whether the platform enabled fraudulent activity. ActBlue has since cooperated with the Texas investigation and implemented new security measures, including the addition of CVV requirements for credit card donations.
So ABC admits it illegally targeted Trump and gave Harris a pass. What is the punishment?