Romanian prosecutors indict Andrew and Tristan Tate on trafficking and money-laundering charges

Romanian prosecutors have formally indicted social-media influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan on multiple counts, including trafficking minors, sexual activity with a minor and money laundering. The indictment, issued by the anti-organized crime agency DIICOT, alleges the brothers recruited victims by posing as potential partners or spouses and then forced them to create sexually exploitative webcam content.

According to DIICOT, one victim was 15 years old when she was approached in the United Kingdom in 2012, later taken to Bucharest and coerced through physical violence and psychological intimidation to produce indecent images. The agency says the brothers retained about $1.25 million—roughly 80 % of the victim’s earnings—and attempted to launder the money by purchasing four luxury cars. Prosecutors also claim the brothers used intimidation to discourage victims from giving statements or to elicit false statements.

"We will examine every aspect of [the indictment] with the same level of scrutiny and we will challenge any evidential, procedural or legal deficiencies through the appropriate judicial process," said Eugen Vidineac, the brothers' Romanian lawyer, adding that his clients continue to deny the allegations.

The Tate brothers, former kickboxers with dual U.S. and British citizenship, were arrested in Florida in July after the United Kingdom sought their extradition on rape charges. They are currently held in a Miami detention facility while extradition proceedings continue. Romanian law allows for trials in absentia, and the case will now move to a preliminary court chamber for a judge’s review, a process that can extend beyond the statutory 60-day deadline.

The indictment follows a prior investigation that began in December 2022 and earlier Romanian charges that were sent back to prosecutors in late 2024 after a court found some evidence inadmissible.