Texas AG Paxton files criminal referral against DOJ over ‘suspicious donation’ by Democratic Party
As Election Day nears, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has dismissed a criminal complaint against the Justice Department of the Biden administration saying the ongoing fundraising campaign is interfering with the presidential election.
“My investigation found evidence that bad actors may be using the ActBlue platform to make illegal campaign contributions. It is illegal to commit election fraud, and it is illegal to hide your identity in order to violate election laws.” Paxton wrote in the X post on Thursday.
“The Department of Justice must take immediate action to prevent illegal behavior in our elections,” he said.
TEXAS AG OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO ‘SUSPICIOUS DONATIONS’ MADE TO HARRIS CAMPAIGN BY DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
FILE – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks at a news conference in Dallas on June 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)
The Texas attorney general wrote in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland that his office had received “highly suspicious campaign contributions” made through the political committee’s online donation platform.
“That investigation turned up shocking evidence that unknown actors were systematically participating through the ActBlue platform on behalf of other people,” Paxton wrote. “This conduct appears to be criminal in many ways, including under 18 USC 1343 (wire fraud; 18 USC 1028 (identity theft); and 52 USC 30122 (making donations on behalf of another).”
HOUSE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE IS INVESTIGATING DEMOCRAT FUNDRAISER ACTBLUE FOR REPORTS OF ILLEGAL MONEY TRANSFER.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bryan Steil is investigating the Democratic giant who helped Vice President Kamala Harris bring in millions. (Getty Images)
ActBlue aims to donate smaller dollars, The Hill first reported, and has become an important part of the Democratic fundraising structure, raising about $1.5 billion from about 7 million donors..
While that cash flow was split among nearly 19,000 campaigns, the vast majority went to high-profile races. In just the first few days of Harris’ campaign, for example, donors gave him $200 million through the platform, according to ActBlue’s social media account X, the Hill reported.
In his letter to Garland, Paxton shared a request with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and urged reforms that would close the alleged “loopholes.” Paxton said these alleged “loopholes” “could be used to illegally invest in American elections.”
‘SERIOUS LOOPHOLE’: GOP EXPANDS STUDY OF ACTBLUE, DEM FUNDRAISING PLATFORM HELPING HARRIS RAISE BILLIONS
The request came after Paxton opened an investigation into ActBlue on Dec. 2023 to determine whether the operation of the platform complies with all applicable laws.
Texas AG Ken Paxton is tracking Democratic fundraising as the GOP eats up key races. (Fox Stories)
In August 2024, Paxton revealed that an ActBlue investigation found that the group began requiring donors who use credit cards to provide “CVV” codes, a common security measure.
However, Paxton said it appeared that “straw donations” were being systematically made using false identities, with untraceable payment methods.
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“I have referred the crime to the US Department of Justice based on the findings of our investigation into ActBlue. My investigation uncovered evidence indicating that wrongdoers may be using the ActBlue platform to make illegal campaign contributions,” Paxton said in a statement. “It is illegal to commit election fraud and it is illegal to hide your identity in order to violate election laws. The Department of Justice must take immediate action to prevent illegal conduct in our elections.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to ActBlue and the FEC for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Stepheny Price contributed to this report.
