Texas AG opens investigation into ‘suspicious donations’ made to Harris campaign through Democratic group

With 15 days until Election Day, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is sounding the alarm, claiming that popular progressive fundraising platforms are interfering in the presidential election.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement regarding the Ta.

“The FEC is shutting down channels we have identified through which foreign donations and contributions in excess of legal limits can be illegally funneled into political campaigns, circumvent campaign finance regulations, and compromise election systems.” “It is essential,” he continued.

In December 2023, Paxton initiated an investigation into ActBlue to determine whether the Platform's operations complied with all applicable laws.

House Republicans demand 'potentially illegal' ACTBLUE donations in FEC investigation as DEM platform collects millions of dollars

Then, in August 2024, Paxton said an investigation into ActBlue revealed that the organization began requiring donors using credit cards to provide a “CVV” code, a common security measure. revealed. But Paxton said “straw donations” appear to be happening systematically, using false identities and through untraceable payment methods.

“I'm asking the FEC to immediately begin creating rules to protect our elections from any criminals exploiting these vulnerabilities,” Paxton said.

ActBlue targets small donations. As first reported by The Hill, It is an integral part of the Democratic Party's fundraising structure and collects estimated amounts. $1.5 billion from nearly 7 million donors.

This influx of cash was distributed among about 19,000 campaigns, but an excess amount went to high-profile races. For example, in the first few days of Harris' campaign, Donors gave her $200 million. According to Act Blue's account on social platform X, through the platform, The Hill reported.

'Serious loopholes': Republicans expand probe into Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue, which helped Harris raise millions of dollars

Texas AG Ken Paxton is pursuing Democratic fundraising as Republicans outspend in key races. (Fox News)

September, Congressman Brian Steele (R-Wis.) introduced a bill that would require political committees to collect a CVV (the three- or four-digit “card verification value” on the back of a credit card) along with political contributions.

Mr. Steele, who serves as the chairman, House of Commons Management Committeesent a letter to FEC executives, asking for “emergency rulemaking to require political campaigns to provide card verification value (“CVV”) for donors who donate online using credit or debit cards, and to prohibit donations by political campaigns. requested that it be started immediately. We accept online donations from gift cards and other prepaid credit cards. ” The Aug. 5 request was made in response to accusations that ActBlue is circumventing campaign contribution laws that condone rampant fraudulent activity on its site.

Paxton's office previously said:secure elections It is the foundation of our republic. ”

Back in August, Rep. Claudia Tenney (RN.Y.) also sent a letter to the FEC requesting an investigation into the same allegations that are currently making Paxton the center of attention.

In a letter to FEC Chairman Sean Cooksey and Vice Chair Ellen Weintraub, Tenney, co-chair of the House Election Integrity Caucus, wrote: “Public report.” “Many individuals reportedly donate to ActBlue several thousand times a year,” Tenney wrote, according to data published by the agency. However, “many of these individuals were reportedly unaware that their names and addresses were being used to make thousands of dollars in political contributions.”

House Administration Committee investigates Democratic fundraiser ActBlue over illegal cash flow reporting

House Administration Committee Chairman Brian Steele is investigating a Democratic fundraising giant that helped Vice President Kamala Harris raise millions of dollars. (Getty Images)

“Given the intentional lack of security in donation operations, it is not surprising that ActBlue could be exploited for fraudulent activities,” Tenney wrote. “Recognizing that foreign actors are using fake accounts to exploit donation systems that lack robust verification protections, most individual campaigns and political action committees (PACs) are We require a CVV number for donations. However, despite the widespread use of CVV ​​numbers among our online counterparts, ActBlue intentionally does not require a CVV number for donations. “It is necessary and could encourage fraud and foreign interference in our electoral system.”

Specifically, Tenney asked the FEC to investigate “abnormal trading activity related to donations to ActBlue” and to answer whether the FEC had already investigated the anomalous trading activity or ActBlue's lax verification process. I asked. If so, he asked the FEC to provide a “detailed summary of its findings.”

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The FEC declined to comment on the letter. Fox News Digital reached out to ActBlue regarding the allegations, but did not immediately receive a response.

According to the commission, the whistleblowers also reported receiving significant donations from retirees living on fixed incomes and hundreds of $2.50 donations from the same individual. .

This site has been used raise millions of dollars For Harris, who will face former President Trump in November.

Fox News Digital’s Danielle Wallace contributed to this report.