Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has demanded explanations from Act Blue concerning suspected fraudulent contributions and questionable donor activities.

The inquiry follows allegations of unusually frequent donations to the Democratic fundraising group from single donors, prompting questions about the organization's verification and reporting standards, as the Washington Examiner reports.

Virginia Attorney General Queries ActBlue

On Friday, Miyares sent a letter to ActBlue, raising concerns over suspicious donor activity. In July, conservative activists pointed out substantial and repeated donations through the platform. These donations raised red flags due to the implausibly high frequency of contributions made by single individuals.

Miyares noted that some donors made tens of thousands of individual donations, which collectively amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars. His letter highlighted the necessity of understanding ActBlue’s verification procedures for these contributions.

“Taken together, these circumstances appear to indicate that contributions via ActBlue are being made from fictional donors or dummy accounts, or that information reported by or through ActBlue may be fraudulent,” Miyares wrote.

Concerns About Fictional Donors

Miyares expressed worries that the donations might be originating from fictitious donors or unauthorized accounts. There is also concern that these contributions could be made without the donors' consent. If true, such activities may violate several protective statutes under Virginia's charitable and criminal laws.

The state AG articulated in his letter, “Alternatively, these circumstances may indicate that contributions via ActBlue are being made without the reported donors’ consent or awareness. Accordingly, these contributions and ActBlue’s facilitation thereof may violate multiple provisions of Virginia charitable and criminal law.”

In light of these allegations, Miyares has requested a comprehensive description of ActBlue’s process for verifying donor information. He seeks details on how the organization ensures compliance with regulatory reporting standards.

Deadline Set for Response

Miyares has set a deadline of Aug. 12 for ActBlue to provide a substantive response. His request underscores the severity with which his office views these allegations. The activity, if proven, could suggest significant legal breaches on ActBlue’s part.

Virginia is not the only state in which these concerning donor activities have been noted. Suspicious patterns have also been detected across several states, indicating a potentially broader issue.

Sen. Marco Rubio, in April 2023, called for a Federal Electoral Commission investigation into ActBlue. Rubio stated, “It should come as no surprise that ActBlue serves as a vessel for fraud, considering the intentional lack of security ingrained within their donation processes and systems.”

Implications and Potential Legal Consequences

The implications of Miyares' investigation are significant. Should ActBlue be found culpable of facilitating or engaging in fraudulent activities, the organization could face severe legal ramifications.

Miyares has emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in his communications with ActBlue. He insists that understanding how these donations were processed is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the electoral system.

The investigation has attracted attention not only at the state level but also on a national scale due to the broad use of ActBlue as a fundraising platform for Democratic candidates and causes.

National Attention and Broader Consequences

Miyares’ inquiry is part of a broader scrutiny into campaign finance practices, especially those involving digital platforms. With ActBlue under the microscope, the outcomes of this investigation may prompt further examination of other fundraising entities.

The allegations are particularly concerning given that ActBlue plays a significant role in the political fundraising landscape. Ensuring that every donation is legitimate and consensual is fundamental to preserving the public’s trust in the electoral system.

As the deadline for ActBlue’s response approaches, all eyes are on the organization to see how it will address these serious accusations. The response will likely determine the next steps in this ongoing investigation.

Awaiting ActBlue's Response

The Aug. 12 deadline is critical. Miyares expects a detailed and substantive reply from ActBlue. This response will be instrumental in determining whether the organization adhered to legal and ethical standards.

Given the potential scope of fraudulent activities, Miyares' investigation may set a precedent for how digital fundraising platforms are regulated and monitored in the future. Transparency in political donations is more important than ever.