Following a new indictment, Romanian prosecutors have charged social media influencers Andrew Tate, 39, and his brother Tristan Tate, 38, with further crimes, including trafficking minors, money laundering, and sexual exploitation.
The indictment alleges the brothers made more than $1.2 million ($888,000) by coercing a 15‑year‑old girl into performing sex acts over video chats. Prosecutors claim that Andrew manipulated the victim through surveillance and physical intimidation, and that both brothers facilitated the exploitation at several Romanian residences.
Both men are currently detained in a Miami jail while they fight extradition to the UK over earlier charges, but they deny all allegations and claim their online personas are fabricated. Their lawyers argue the indictment is a continuation of a prior prosecution that was halted due to procedural irregularities.
The Romanian Directorate for Investigating Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) also seeks to confiscate four of the brothers’ luxury cars, worth £710 000, citing evidence that the vehicles were used for money laundering. No decision has yet been made on whether the brothers will be extradited to Romania.
Law enforcement authorities warn that the case’s outcome will depend on the judge’s examination of the evidence and the final admissibility of the indictment.
