Florida Opens Criminal Investigation into Andrew and Tristan Tate Following Their Return to the U.S.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Tuesday that his office has launched a criminal investigation into Andrew and Tristan Tate, just days after the controversial brothers returned to the United States from Romania, where they face human trafficking charges.

In a statement on social media, Uthmeier confirmed that law enforcement is conducting a preliminary inquiry. “Based on a thorough review of the evidence, I’ve directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to execute search warrants and issue subpoenas in the now-active criminal investigation into the Tate brothers,” he said.

The move comes after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared that the Tates were “not welcome” in the state and ordered the attorney general to examine whether Florida has jurisdiction over any alleged crimes linked to the brothers.

During an appearance on the PPD Podcast on Monday, Andrew Tate criticized DeSantis, claiming the governor was succumbing to media pressure. He defended himself, stating that as a U.S. passport holder, he has every right to visit his home country. He also insisted that he has broken no laws and has never been convicted or even tried for a crime.

The Tate brothers, who hold dual U.S.-British citizenship, were arrested in late 2022 and formally indicted in Romania last year. Prosecutors allege that they operated a criminal ring that lured women to Romania, where they were sexually exploited. Andrew Tate, 38, faces an additional charge of rape. Both brothers deny the allegations.

A former professional kickboxer, Andrew Tate has gained massive online popularity, especially among young men, by promoting a lavish lifestyle. However, he has also been widely criticized for his misogynistic views, including statements suggesting that women should bear responsibility for being sexually assaulted. As a result, he has been banned from major social media platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.

The Tates left Romania amid reports that a Trump administration official had expressed interest in their case at the recent Munich Security Conference, according to Romanian Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu.