South Carolina AG Wilson Requests SLED Inquiry into Online Political Fundraising Platforms
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has formally requested that the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) conduct a preliminary inquiry into online political fundraising platforms, including ActBlue.
In a letter addressed to SLED Chief Mark Keel, Attorney General Wilson asked for agents to be assigned to investigate allegations of suspicious activity occurring on platforms such as ActBlue. SLED agents will collaborate with the Attorney General’s office and Senior Assistant Deputy Attorney General Creighton Waters on this matter.
Attorney General Wilson stated the importance of full transparency for nonprofit and political entities to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process.
This request follows a previous letter sent by Attorney General Wilson on August 22, 2024, in which he raised significant concerns regarding potential fraudulent activity involving ActBlue, ActBlue Civics, and ActBlue Charities. Wilson’s office had received information suggesting possible “smurfing,” a money laundering technique involving disguising large donations as numerous smaller ones, along with other questionable donation practices.
Attorney General Wilson highlighted reports indicating individuals with modest occupations or those listed as “unemployed” making unusually large and frequent contributions through ActBlue platforms. He noted that if these allegations are substantiated, such practices could constitute violations of South Carolina’s laws pertaining to charities, regulations, criminal activity, and campaign finance, as well as potentially federal law.
Attorney General Wilson emphasized the right of South Carolinians to full transparency to safeguard the integrity of elections. He has called upon ActBlue to provide a comprehensive explanation of its donor verification procedures in light of these concerns.
