Andrew Tate, a self-described misogynist and podcaster, has a huge online following, especially among young men. He is known for appearing on Big Brother in the UK before leaving the country with his brother to live in Romania, where they both now face charges. The Tates’ lawyer, Joseph McBride, responded to Uthmeier with a statement saying: “Today, Attorney General James Uthmeier threw ethics law out of the window when he publicly took a side in an ongoing Florida lawsuit where Andrew and Tristan Tate are suing a Florida woman for orchestrating a sophisticated plot to use sex as a weapon to ruin their lives.” McBride called Uthmeier’s statements “inflammatory, biased, and designed to affect the outcome” of the Tates’ civil suit. “Do not be surprised if opposing counsel motions the court in our civil case to stop proceedings based on Mr. Uthmeier’s unconscionable statements.”

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on Tuesday announced a criminal investigation into right-wing influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate, amid allegations of human trafficking, money laundering and rape. The brothers, who were detained in Romania in 2022 and banned from traveling overseas, landed back in Florida last week after the Romanian government lifted the travel ban. Romanian authorities said they are still continuing their case against the brothers. The brothers, who have denied any wrongdoing, have also been accused of rape and tax evasion in the U.K. The brothers have have dual citizenship, both British and U.S., Axios reported. Uthmeier said that his team has now secured and executed subpoenas and warrants as part of the investigation.

Attorney General James Uthmeier confirmed the latest development after a “preliminary inquiry” was conducted into the Tate brothers, who last week landed in the Sunshine State from Romania where they have a pending human trafficking case against them. “Based on a thorough review of the evidence, I’ve directed the Office of Statewide Prosecution to execute search warrants and issue subpoenas in the now-active criminal investigation into the Tate brothers,” Uthmeier said in a social media post. Andrew, 38, and Tristian, 36, — who have together amassed millions of largely male followers on social media — are accused of putting together a criminal ring that exploited women in the European country and were arrested in late 2022. Andrew, a former professional kickboxer and proud self-professed misogynist, was also accused of rape.