BUCHAREST — Romanian prosecutors announced Friday that they have indicted social media influencer Andrew Tate on charges of trafficking minors, sexual relations with a minor, and money laundering. His brother, Tristan Tate, faces additional complicity charges in the case, according to DIICOT, Romania’s anti-organized crime agency.
The Tate brothers, aged 39 and 38 respectively, were initially arrested in Bucharest in late 2022. DIICOT alleges that the brothers coerced a victim into producing pornographic material for an online webcam business by feigning a romantic relationship. The agency stated that Andrew Tate recruited a 15-year-old girl in Luton, England, in 2012, and that the brothers generated over $1.2 million from her webcam work after she was repeatedly transported to Romania.
Prosecutors further allege that Tristan Tate was aware of the victim’s age and her recruitment by Andrew. Between 2014 and 2021, Tristan is accused of knowingly deceiving the minor about his brother’s “feelings and intentions,” which facilitated her sexual exploitation. Additionally, between December 2020 and mid-2021, Andrew Tate is accused of repeatedly engaging in sexual intercourse and acts with another 15-year-old victim.
The indictment also covers money laundering allegations spanning from December 2023 to July 2024. DIICOT claims the brothers attempted to disguise the illicit origins of their trafficking proceeds by purchasing four luxury vehicles totaling approximately 825,000 euros ($957,000). Authorities noted that requests have been made to confiscate the vehicles. Both brothers have denied the allegations, with Andrew Tate asserting that a political conspiracy aims to silence them.
This legal development follows a complex procedural history. The brothers were formally indicted in 2023, but a court returned the case to DIICOT in 2024 due to multiple legal and procedural irregularities committed by prosecutors. A separate legal case against the brothers emerged in 2024 as well. DIICOT alleges that the Tates also attempted to intimidate or pay victims to provide false statements or refuse to testify.
Currently, the Tates are being held in Miami following a UK extradition request in July regarding sex crime allegations. During a federal court hearing last week, they testified that they cannot mount an adequate defense while detained in a Miami jail. Their lawyers argued that the UK extradition request is improper because their Romanian criminal proceedings should take precedence. Romanian officials have permitted the brothers to remain at large with certain restrictions, such as reporting to a Bucharest police station, while the ongoing legal process continues.
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