Tate brothers sent for trial: $1.2 million from exploitation of minor laundered through luxury cars
DIICOT accuses Andrew and Tristan Tate of human trafficking, money laundering and witness tampering. Four cars worth over €800,000 have been confiscated.
Tate brothers sent for trial for exploitation of 15-year-old minor
Andrew and Tristan Tate have been sent for trial in a new criminal case, according to ProTV News. DIICOT prosecutors accuse them of human trafficking, money laundering and witness tampering.
According to the prosecution indictment, the two brothers allegedly obtained over $1.2 million from the sexual exploitation of a single minor. Held in preventive custody in Miami since 18 July, Andrew and Tristan Tate learned of their referral to trial from a letter received from their lawyer in Romania.
The "loverboy" method and control through violence
According to DIICOT, Andrew Tate recruited a 15-year-old minor in 2012 who was in a vulnerable situation, using the "loverboy" method. "By deceiving her regarding the intention to establish a relationship and the existence of genuine feelings of love, he recruited her and housed her in a building in the city of Luton, Great Britain, for the purpose of sexual exploitation," DIICOT stated.
ProTV correspondents reported that, after gaining the victim's trust, Andrew Tate allegedly emotionally blackmailed her and forced her, including through violence, to appear in pornographic material and to perform in webcam chat for his benefit.
Investigators claim that Tristan Tate was aware of the activity and directly managed the minor's webcam chat programme with the aim of maximising income. When the girl did not follow instructions or the established schedule, he allegedly resorted to physical assault.
A second minor victim in 2020
The case also contains accusations relating to a second victim. "The 39-year-old defendant repeatedly engaged in sexual relations and sexual acts with another minor victim, aged 15, both at his residence and at another location, also in Ilfov county," DIICOT stated.
Luxury cars confiscated following attempted money laundering
Prosecutors claim that, after the activity came to light, the suspects attempted to launder illicit proceeds by purchasing four cars worth a total of over €800,000 in the names of associates. All vehicles have been confiscated by authorities.
Defence challenges novelty of accusations
Alexandru Rîșniță, one of the Tate brothers' lawyers, stated that the accusations are not new: "Of the very many, subsequent to our winning the preliminary chamber in 2024, they chose only two out of 31 alleged victims, separated the case and sent it for trial."
Defenders in Romania have requested that DIICOT provide a full translation of the indictment and transmit it to Miami so that the Tate brothers can consult it.
Andrew and Tristan Tate are held in preventive custody in the United States after British authorities requested their extradition for sexual exploitation of four victims, some minors, in the period 2010–2017. On 13 August, the Tate brothers requested bail. Both have rejected all accusations levelled against them.
Source: Știrile ProTV