Missouri Attorney General Hanaway Launches Investigation into ActBlue
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has launched an investigation into ActBlue, a fundraising platform that is suspected of several Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA) violations, including fraud, misrepresentation of foreign contributions, and unfair practices.
“When political fundraising is compromised, public trust and the foundations of our democracy are put at risk. Missourians deserve a political system built on honesty and confidence that campaigns are not being financed through unlawful foreign sources,” said General Hanaway. “Political fundraising must never become a pathway to deception, influence, or special treatment.”
Political contributions from foreign entities in any form are strictly prohibited by federal law. After investigating ActBlue, the U.S. House Committee on Administration forwarded information regarding its conduct to the Attorney General’s Office for potential investigation. The Attorney General’s investigation will examine whether ActBlue sent any funds raised through fraudulent contributions to a Missouri political office, campaign, or committee. ActBlue is a fundraising platform widely used by almost 23,000 Democratic candidates and groups. In 2025, they raised nearly $1.8 billion for progressive causes across the nation.
Recent reports indicate that through faulty, potentially deliberately unsound, donation verification processes, ActBlue could have received and used money directly from foreign sources. It is also suspected that ActBlue receives donations by way of prepaid cards or gift cards, a difficult-to-trace method that has been used by foreign donors to conceal contributions. Additionally, there is reason to believe fraudulent contributions are being made to ActBlue under false identities or on behalf of other individuals without their knowledge.
The Attorney General’s Office is also inquiring about multiple resignations, terminations, and whistleblower complaints. Employees who may have flagged weaknesses in fraud-prevention systems, objected to internal decisions, or believed ActBlue was not properly addressing fraud risk were potentially suppressed or punished for speaking out.
The Civil Investigative Demand (CID), issued to ActBlue in accordance with the MMPA, compels the production of documents, communications, and other materials relevant to potential violations of Missouri’s consumer protection laws.
ActBlue must produce all responsive documents and information no later than 10 A.M. CT on October 8, 2026. The Attorney General’s Office will review the materials produced in response to the CIDs and continue its investigation based on the facts.
Members of the media who would like a full copy of the CIDs may send a request to press@ago.mo.gov.
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