Texas AG Paxton files criminal complaint against DOJ over “suspicious donations” by Democratic group

With Election Day just around the corner, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a criminal case against the Biden administration’s Justice Department alleging that a popular progressive fundraising platform interfered in the presidential election.

“My investigation uncovered evidence that bad actors are likely using ActBlue’s platform to make illegal campaign contributions. It is illegal to engage in voter fraud, and it is illegal to disguise one’s identity to violate election rules,” Paxton wrote in an X post on Thursday.

“The Justice Department must take immediate action to prevent illegal behavior in our elections,” he said.

TEXAS AG is opening an investigation into “suspicious donations” made to the Harris campaign through DEMOCRATIC GROUP

The Texas attorney general wrote in a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland that his office discovered “highly suspicious campaign contributions” made through the online political committee fundraising platform.

“This investigation has uncovered alarming evidence showing that anonymous actors are systematically contributing on behalf of other people through ActBlue’s platform,” Paxton wrote. “This conduct appears to be criminal in many respects, including, but not limited to, 18 USC 1343 (wire fraud), 18 USC 1028 (identity theft), and 52 USC 30122 (donations on behalf of another person).”

HOUSE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE INVESTIGATES DEMOCRAT FUNDRAISER ACTBLUE OVER REPORTS OF ILLEGAL FUND FLOWS

House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil is investigating the Democratic fundraising giant that helped Vice President Kamala Harris raise millions. (Getty Images)

ActBlue is targeting small-dollar donations, as The Hill first reported, and was an integral part of the Democratic fundraising structure, raising an estimated $1.5 billion from about 7 million donors.

While this influx of money was spread across nearly 19,000 campaigns, an excessive amount went to the highest-profile races. In the Harris campaign’s first few days alone, for example, donors gave her $200 million through the platform, according to ActBlue’s account on social platform X, The Hill reported.

In his letter to Garland, Paxton shared the Federal Election Commission’s (FEC) petition, calling for changes that would close alleged “loopholes.” Paxton said these alleged “loopholes” could be exploited “to illegally funnel money into American elections.”

‘SERIOUS GAP’: GOP EXPANDS INVESTIGATION INTO ACTBLUE, THE FUNDRAISING PLATFORM THAT HELPS HARRIS STORE MILLIONS

The petition came after Paxton launched an investigation into ActBlue in December 2023 to determine whether the platform’s operations complied with all applicable laws.

Texas AG Ken Paxton is pushing for Democratic fundraising as Republicans spend more money in key races. (Fox News)

In August 2024, Paxton announced that an investigation by ActBlue found that the group began requiring donors who use credit cards to provide “CVV” codes, a common security measure.

However, Paxton said it appeared that “straw donations” were being made systematically using false identities and through untraceable payment methods.

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“I have filed a criminal complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice based on the results of our investigation into ActBlue. “My investigation uncovered evidence that bad actors are likely using ActBlue’s platform to make illegal campaign contributions,” Paxton said in a statement. “It is illegal to engage in voter fraud and it is illegal to disguise one’s identity to violate election rules. The Department of Justice must take immediate action to prevent illegal behavior in our elections.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to ActBlue and the FEC for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Stepheny Price contributed to this report.