Dem Fundraising Platform ActBlue Sued: Shocking Allegations Revealed

Republican consultant Mark Block has filed a lawsuit against ActBlue over alleged identity theft and civil racketeering in political fundraising, adding another chapter in the ongoing scrutiny of campaign finance practices.

At a Glance

Mark Block accuses ActBlue of using his identity to make over 385 donations.
Block’s lawsuit claims this is part of a civil racketeering scheme exploiting campaign finance loopholes.
House Administration Committee investigation revealed tens of thousands of suspicious donations.
ActBlue denies wrongdoing but has agreed to implement CVV security measures.

Mark Block’s Lawsuit Against ActBlue

Mark Block, a Republican consultant, has filed a lawsuit in Wisconsin accusing ActBlue of fraudulently using his identity. This legal action points to small, sub-$200 donations made by Block’s impersonated identity, which bypassed Federal Election Commission (FEC) reporting requirements. ActBlue, known for its digital fundraising platform widely used by Democratic candidates, is alleged to be involved in a civil racketeering conspiracy under Wisconsin’s Organized Crime Control Act.

The lawsuit, possibly catalyzed by broader requests from the House Administration Committee, underscores a growing scrutiny of digital campaign fundraising. Block discovered that his identity was used for over 385 donations, supporting 62 campaigns including Kamala Harris’ Victory Fund, amounting to over $884. Such misuse of personal information is likened to “smurfing,” a method to disguise the true source of funds through smaller contributions.

JUST IN: Wisconsin GOP Consultant Files Bombshell Lawsuit Over Fraudulent Use of Information for ActBlue Finance Money Laundering AKA “Smurfing” https://t.co/lbQichj64i pic.twitter.com/tqg7UuWXq5

— The Gateway Pundit (@gatewaypundit) October 15, 2024

Investigations and Allegations

The lawsuit aligns with an investigation launched by the House Administration Committee, revealing tens of thousands of potentially fake or unauthorized donations through ActBlue. The investigation spans 19 states and raises alarms over the lack of standard fraud prevention measures in place by ActBlue, such as Card Verification Value (CVV) for online transactions.

Led by Chairman James Comer and Representative Nick Langworthy, the committee has requested the U.S. Department of Treasury to provide Suspicious Activity Reports to aid the investigation. Concerns extend to the possibility of foreign nationals and unidentified bad actors manipulating these fundraising platforms, potentially in violation of federal law, which prohibits unauthorized contributions in another person’s name.

Response and Future Actions

ActBlue has publicly denied any misconduct but has expressed willingness to cooperate with ongoing investigations. The platform has agreed to start using CVV security numbers on credit cards to curb fraudulent practices. Despite these efforts, allegations have prompted investigations by figures such as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, each scrutinizing ActBlue for potential violations.

While some experts have dismissed claims of campaign finance irregularities as “dubious,” the investigations continue to reflect widespread concern over the integrity of political fundraising practices. As lawmakers and attorneys general delve deeper, ActBlue will remain at the forefront of a debate over the transparency and legality in the evolving digital campaign finance landscape.