Republican strategist Mark Block sues ActBlue, alleging identity theft and racketeering in a political donations scandal that could shake the foundations of campaign financing.
At a Glance
- Mark Block files lawsuit against ActBlue for alleged identity theft and racketeering
- Lawsuit claims Block’s identity was used for over 385 donations totaling $884 to Democratic campaigns
- House Administration Committee investigating tens of thousands of suspicious donations through ActBlue
- ActBlue accused of exploiting FEC reporting loopholes for small donations under $200
- Multiple state attorneys general launch investigations into ActBlue’s practices
Republican Consultant Takes Legal Action Against ActBlue
In a shocking turn of events, longtime Republican strategist Mark Block has filed a lawsuit against ActBlue, the prominent Democratic fundraising platform. Block alleges that his identity was fraudulently used to make numerous donations to Democratic campaigns without his consent. The lawsuit, filed in Wisconsin state courts, accuses ActBlue of identity theft and civil racketeering, potentially exposing systemic vulnerabilities in political fundraising practices.
According to the lawsuit, Block’s personal information was used to make over 385 donations totaling more than $884 to 62 different Democratic campaigns, including the Kamala Harris Victory Fund. This alleged misuse of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) has been described as “smurfing,” a method used to launder contributions through anonymous bulk reports.
The Committee’s rigorous investigation into ActBlue has uncovered weak financial standards and suspicious recurring donations on the Democrats’ main online fundraising platform.
Chairman @RepBryanSteil recently provided an update on the @VickiMcKenna Show ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/V3kfM3D8FP
— House Admin. Committee GOP (@HouseAdmin) October 10, 2024
Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigations
The lawsuit comes amid a broader investigation by the House Administration Committee, which has uncovered tens of thousands of suspicious donations through ActBlue. This has prompted investigations in 19 states, raising serious questions about the integrity of political fundraising practices.
The America First Policy Institute’s legal arm, aligned with former President Donald Trump’s policies, is assisting Block in his lawsuit. The case accuses ActBlue of being part of a racketeering enterprise under Wisconsin’s Organized Crime Control Act (WOCCA), potentially implicating the platform in a wider conspiracy to exploit Federal Election Commission reporting loopholes for small donations under $200.
State-Level Investigations and ActBlue’s Response
Several state attorneys general have launched their own investigations into ActBlue’s practices. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares are among those scrutinizing the platform for compliance with applicable laws and potential fraudulent activities.
ActBlue has denied any wrongdoing but has agreed to cooperate with ongoing investigations. In response to concerns about fraud prevention, the platform has committed to implementing additional security measures, including the use of Card Verification Value (CVV) numbers for credit card transactions.
More ActBlue fraud/money laundering being uncovered every day, in every state:https://t.co/rJsiZ0h6Yt
— Vance Lucas (@vlucas) July 25, 2024
Implications for Campaign Finance Integrity
This lawsuit and the accompanying investigations highlight the urgent need for greater oversight and security measures in political fundraising. The allegations against ActBlue raise concerns about the potential for foreign nationals and other bad actors to exploit online platforms to violate campaign finance laws.
As the legal and investigative processes unfold, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the future of political fundraising and the integrity of campaign finance systems in the United States. The spotlight on ActBlue’s practices may lead to increased scrutiny of all political fundraising platforms, regardless of party affiliation, to ensure compliance with federal and state laws.
Sources:
- GOP consultant files lawsuit alleging identity fraudulently used to make ActBlue donations to Dems
- Comer, Langworthy, Oversight Republicans Launch Investigation into Potential Fraud Linked to ActBlue Campaign Contributions, Request Treasury’s SARs on Suspicious Financial Activity
- AttorÂney GenÂerÂal Ken PaxÂton’s OngoÂing InvesÂtiÂgaÂtion Into ActÂBlue Yields CoopÂerÂaÂtion On Donor CredÂit Card Identification
