WASHINGTON, DC — A congressional investigation into Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue intensified after multiple senior employees refused to answer lawmakers’ questions, invoking their Fifth Amendment rights repeatedly during depositions.
According to an interim report released by House committees, five current and former ActBlue officials declined to respond to questions a combined 146 times during testimony tied to allegations of potential fraud and illegal donations.
The probe centers on claims by Republican lawmakers that ActBlue’s donation system may have allowed prohibited contributions, including those from foreign nationals, to enter U.S. political campaigns. The report states that the refusal to answer questions “only amplifies the Committees’ concerns” about possible misconduct.
The investigation gained additional attention after reporting indicated that internal legal memos suggested vulnerabilities in ActBlue’s fraud detection systems, potentially contradicting prior assurances given to Congress.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against ActBlue, alleging widespread donor fraud. His office claims it tested the platform and found it possible to make prohibited contributions, highlighting concerns about verification safeguards.
ActBlue has denied all wrongdoing, defending its employees’ decision to invoke constitutional protections. A spokesperson said the Fifth Amendment is a “foundational right” and criticized the investigation as partisan.
Lawmakers questioned whether staff knowingly allowed fraudulent donations, participated in improper activity, or were aware of identity fraud on the platform. In each case, witnesses declined to answer on legal advice.
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