Congress is ramping up its investigation into potential foreign interference in Democratic fundraising efforts, particularly focusing on the ActBlue platform.
Recent bombshell letters from lawmakers Bryan Steil and Ron Johnson to the Biden administration demand access to key financial records and intelligence briefings, as reported by Just The News.
The inquiry centers on whether foreign adversaries like Iran, China, Russia, and Venezuela have been funneling money into U.S. elections, potentially manipulating online donations to Democratic campaigns.
The investigation, spearheaded by the House Administration Committee and the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, highlights concerns that foreign actors may be using straw donations through ActBlue without U.S. donors’ knowledge.
These suspicious donations, often linked to small-dollar contributions, have prompted fears that illegal money laundering and credit card fraud could be in play. This practice, known as “smurfing,” is a sneaky way to bypass campaign finance regulations, making it difficult to detect foreign interference.
In a recent letter, Steil and Johnson specifically requested access to Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) filed by financial institutions, which could provide evidence of money laundering tied to ActBlue.
These reports are essential for tracking large sums of money and red-flagging suspicious transactions. Federal law requires banks to file SARs within 30 days of detecting potential illegal activity.
The scope of the investigation is widening. Steil’s committee has already referred findings to attorneys general in 19 states after an analysis raised concerns about small donations far exceeding the financial means of certain low-income donors.
This red flag suggests that some U.S. citizens may unknowingly be used as conduits for foreign donations.
Adding fuel to the fire, a recent lawsuit filed in Wisconsin by Republican consultant Mark Block claims his identity was used to make unauthorized donations via ActBlue. Block’s case could provide key evidence of an organized fraud scheme, raising alarms about the integrity of political fundraising.
