Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway
JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has launched an investigation into ActBlue, a fundraising platform her office says is suspected of several Missouri Merchandising Practices Act violations.
Hanaway’s office says the possible MMPA violations include 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,” Hanaway said. “Missourians deserve a political system built on honesty and confidence that campaigns are not being financed through unlawful foreign sources.
“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 Hanaway’s office for potential investigation.
The 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 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.
Hanaway’s office also is 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 by October 8. Hanaway’s office will review the materials produced in response to the CIDs and continue its investigation based on the facts.
