Right-wing influencer Andrew Tate lashed out on social media at Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) amid reports Florida's top law enforcement officer opened a criminal investigation into Tate, who returned to the U.S. last week despite facing allegations including human trafficking in Romania.
The Tate brothers have been accused of forming an organized crime group to sexually exploit women. Andrew Tate faces accusations of rape in both Romania and the United Kingdom, and both are under investigation into the trafficking of minors. Additionally, Romanian authorities say Tates laundered money.
The Tate brothers have denied all allegations. The duo — ardent supporters of President Donald Trump — were recently allowed to leave Romania and travel to the United States under judicial supervision.
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But Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said Tuesday his office launched a criminal investigation into the British-American brothers.
"These guys have themselves publicly admitted to participating in what very much appears to be soliciting, trafficking, preying upon women around the world," Uthmeier said, according to the report.
"In Florida, this type of behavior is viewed as atrocious. We're not going to accept it. They chose to come here and set their feet down in this state, and we're going to pursue every tool we have within our legal authority to hold them accountable," he added.
The announcement comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis said the Tates were not welcome in his state.
Andrew Tate previously posted on social media, “The Tates will be free, Trump is the president. The good old days are back. And they will be better than ever. Hold on.”
On Tuesday night, he took aim at the Florida governor.
"Ron DeSantis is attacking me because he was worried I would support Byron Donalds over his wife, knowing I have monumental political weight, and trust our commander and chief President Trumps reccomendations completely," wrote Tate on X. "They attacked me to prevent me from destroying his wifes political ambitions. Interestingly, I had no interest in Floridian politics untill I learnt how communist the DeSantis admin is. The game is on."