Romanian prosecutors have filed fresh charges against social media personalities Andrew Tate, 39, and his brother Tristan Tate, 38. The indictment alleges a total of more than $1.2M earned by coercing a minor into sex acts broadcast over video chats. Andrew faces crimes of trafficking minors, money‑laundering and sexual contact with a minor. Tristan is charged with complicity in the trafficking of a minor and money‑laundering.
Both brothers are currently jailed in Miami over separate UK extradition proceedings and maintain innocence, claiming their online personas do not reflect real behaviour.
The investigation dates back to December 2022, with the brothers having largely resided in Romania since 2017. They amassed a broad following of young men through misogynistic messaging and lifestyle imagery.
Central to the new indictment is a girl who, according to investigators, was recruited by Tristan when she was 15. Prosecutors allege she was kept in a Luton home, controlled through surveillance and intimidation, and forced to perform sex acts for Andrew’s financial gain. The legislation further claims Andrew relocated her to Romania to continue exploitation at two of his residences.
Andrew also holds charges of having sex with a minor who was 15 in Romania. The prosecutors seek confiscation of four luxury cars worth £710,000, citing laundering links.
Whether DIICOT will pursue extradition from the United States remains unclear. The indictment will undergo judicial review before a trial can proceed.
The brothers’ lawyer, Eugen Constantin Vidineac, stated that the new indictment does not determine guilt and highlighted a history of procedural irregularities in earlier proceedings. He emphasised the necessity of scrutinizing every aspect of the case and the right of his clients to a fair defence.
As investigations continue, the Tate brothers remain prominent figures in the public eye while facing serious legal challenges in an international context.
