Hundreds of transactions linked to Dem fundraising platform ActBlue found by Treasury and flagged by banks: GOP memo

The Treasury Department found records of hundreds of transactions flagged by banks as being linked to “Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue.” potentially suspiciousAccording to a congressional memo obtained exclusively by The Post.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer briefed Republican members of his panel last week on “potentially fraudulent and illegal financial activity” involving the political donation portal, following briefings with Treasury Department staff.

“While Treasury has not yet produced any records, it is currently reviewing hundreds of potentially responsive records,” Comer (R-Ky.) said in an Oct. 25 memo.

“Treasury has found this to be one of the largest records reviews it has conducted this Congress,” he added.

These records contain allegations of money laundering, fraudulent or fraudulent use of credit or debit cards, wire fraud, identity theft or other financial crimes flagged in Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) submitted by financial institutions to the Ministry of Finance since January 1, 2023. may contain evidence. federal government.

Comer told members of the oversight panel that his staff “worked closely with the Treasury Department to obtain materials quickly.”

GOP-led congressional committees and Republican state attorneys general in Missouri, Wyoming and Texas investigated ActBlue this year for similar fraudulent collection allegations.

So-called “fake” accounts have potentially made thousands of individual donations to Democratic causes.

Former Herman Cain chief of staff and Wisconsin Republican strategist Mark Block allegedly explosives blackmail case He said earlier this month that his identity was one of many stolen and used to make at least 385 donations worth $884.38 to the Harris Victory Fund and other left-wing committees this year.

Individual contributions under $200 do not need to be reported to the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

Until recently, ActBlue did not require Card Verification Values ​​(CVV) for online transactions with debit cards, credit cards, or prepaid gift cards; This left its portal open to fraud and even illegal foreign contributions.

House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) claimed in a letter Monday that his panel’s investigation found that China, Russia, Iran and Venezuela, in particular, “may be exploiting existing U.S. donors.” donate hay without the knowledge of individuals or (ActBlue).”

The Management Committee’s investigation revealed that in some cases hundreds of donations from the same individual amounting to just $2.50 were recorded to ActBlue.

It also showed that some donors donated well beyond their means or to the opposite side of the party they generally supported.

“We vigilantly protect the security of our donors and maintain strict anti-fraud compliance policies,” an ActBlue spokesperson said in a statement to The Post on Monday. “We have zero tolerance for fraud on our platform and are confident in our long-standing reputation as a trustworthy and reliable digital fundraising platform.”

ActBlue helped raise more than $2.2 billion for Democratic candidates and causes in the 2021-22 election cycle, according to money in politics tracker OpenSecrets.com.

The platform also helped Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign. About $46.7 million From donors who used ActBlue just hours after he replaced President Biden as the Democratic nominee.

In addition to the Treasury, the Directorate of National Intelligence and the FBI are also briefing congressional committees on the issue.

The Treasury Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.