Florida launches criminal investigation into Tate brothers

ISTANBUL

Accused sex traffickers Andrew and Tristan Tate are currently under criminal investigation in the US state of Florida after arriving from Romania, according to the state’s top lawyer.

Attorney General James Uthmeier said investigators have executed search warrants and issued subpoenas as part of a "now-active" inquiry, the BBC reported.

The Tate brothers arrived in Florida last week after being granted permission to leave Romania, where they are still awaiting trial.

They still face serious criminal charges in Romania, including rape, human trafficking, and money laundering.

Despite their departure, the Tates’ legal troubles remain unresolved.

Prosecutors in Romania have said the Tates will be required to return to Romania later this month to comply with the terms of their ongoing legal status.

The Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism issued a statement confirming that the investigation into the Tates is still active and their request to drop the charges has been denied.

The prosecutors clarified that while their request to leave Romania has been accepted, the preventive judicial measures remain in effect.

Andrew Tate, a British American social media influencer who has proudly described himself as a misogynist, and his brother were arrested in Romania in 2022 and charged the following year with a scheme that involved exploiting seven Romanian women, seducing them and holding them against their will while filming them engaging in sex acts and selling the footage online.