Inquiry launched after pair was able to fly into state despite facing trial in Romania on rape and trafficking charges

The attorney general of Florida has opened a criminal investigation of Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan after the pair were able to fly into the state last week despite facing trial in Romania on charges of rape, sex with a minor, people trafficking and money laundering.

James Uthmeier, appointed to be the state attorney general by Florida governor Ron DeSantis, said on Tuesday he had begun an “active criminal investigation” of the brothers and was prepared to use the “full force of law” in his examination of their conduct.

“These guys have themselves publicly admitted to participating in what very much appears to be soliciting, trafficking, preying upon women around the world,” Uthmeier said. He added: “Many of these victims are coming forward, some of them minors. People can spin or defend however they want, but in Florida, this type of behavior is viewed as atrocious. We’re not going to accept it.”

Self-styled “misogynist influencer” Andrew Tate and his brother arrived in Fort Lauderdale last week after flying from Bucharest to the US in a private jet, as prosecutors suspended their travel ban and a court lifted a precautionary seizure on some of their assets.

The pair, who are dual US-UK citizens, were arrested in Romania in 2022 and still face trial there. As they arrived in Florida last week, Uthmeier said: “Florida has zero tolerance for human trafficking and violence against women. If any of these alleged crimes trigger Florida jurisdiction, we will hold them accountable.”