U.S. Rep. James Comer representing Kentucky's 1st Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Rep. James Comer representing Kentucky's 1st Congressional District | Official U.S. House headshot
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), Representative Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.), and several Republican members of the Oversight Committee have initiated an investigation into potential fraud and illicit financial activity associated with ActBlue campaign contributions. In a letter to U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, the lawmakers requested all suspicious activity reports (SARs) related to these activities.
“The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is investigating reports of potentially fraudulent and illicit financial activity related to contributions to campaigns of candidates for federal offices mediated by online fundraising platforms like ActBlue. The Committee writes to request the U.S. Department of the Treasury make available to the Committee certain Suspicious Activity Reports relevant to the Committee’s investigation,” wrote the lawmakers.
Recent reports about ActBlue have raised concerns regarding potential fraud and evasion of campaign finance laws by individuals exploiting online contribution platforms. Criticism arose over ActBlue's lack of standard procedures, such as requiring a Card Verification Value (CVV) for processing online transactions, which it has since implemented. Several state officials are also investigating ActBlue concerning contributions allegedly made without the reported contributor’s awareness. Federal law prohibits contributions made in another person's name.
“The Committee is concerned that failure to properly vet contributions made through online platforms may have allowed bad actors to more easily commit fraud to illegally exploit and violate federal campaign finance laws. These bad actors could include foreign nationals not lawfully admitted for permanent residence who are prohibited by statute from contributing to campaigns or political parties. They could also include individuals looking to flout the limits of individual contributions by fraudulently using others’ identities to evade those limits, in addition to other criminal activity in violation of campaign finance laws,” continued the lawmakers. “It is imperative that Congress determine whether legislation is necessary to ensure adherence to statutes related to campaign finance, and guard against foreign or unfair influence in our elections.”
The lawmakers have requested Secretary Yellen provide all SARs related to ActBlue by October 4, 2024.
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