Florida has launched a criminal investigation into Andrew and Tristan Tate, who arrived in the US from Romania last week, where they faced rape and human-trafficking charges.
James Uthmeier, Florida’s attorney general, said a “now-active” enquiry has seen investigators issuing search warrants and subpoenas.
The duo face a civil suit from a woman who alleged they coerced her into sex work, then defamed her after she gave evidence to Romanian police.
The brothers also face separate charges in the UK of rape and human trafficking.
The brothers also face separate charges in the UK of rape and human trafficking
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They have denied all allegations against them.
Andrew Tate, who has amassed millions of followers online, is a self-described misogynist and former kickboxer.
In a statement on Tuesday, Republican Uthmeier said: "Last week, I directed my office to work with our law enforcement partners to conduct a preliminary inquiry into Andrew and Tristan Tate.”
"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."
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Andrew and Tristan’s lawyer Joseph McBride released a statement on the investigation, calling the attorney general’s comments "inflammatory and biased".
He added: "Today, Attorney General James Uthmeier threw ethics law out of the window when he publicly took a side in an ongoing Florida lawsuit where Andrew and Tristan Tate are suing a Florida woman for orchestrating a sophisticated plot to use sex as a weapon to ruin their lives."
The pair were first arrested in Romania in December 2022, with 38-year-old Andrew accused of rape and human trafficking and 36-year-old Tristan suspected of human trafficking.
Andrew and Tristan Tate arrived in the US from Romania last week
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They had been living in Romania after moving there from the UK several years ago.
Andrew and Tristan, who have denied the charges, spent several months under house arrest.
In August 2024, they faced new allegations, including sex with a minor and trafficking underage persons, which they also deny.
Meanwhile, authorities in Bedfordshire are seeking Andrew’s extradition on separate allegations of rape and human trafficking, as well as tax evasion.
Four women in the UK have filed a civil case against the influencer, allegind he raped and coercively controlled them.
