During a joint hearing of the House Administration, Judiciary and Oversight Committees, ActBlue board member Kimberly Peeler‑Allen invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self‑incrimination when questioned about alleged foreign donations to the Democratic fundraising platform. The testimony, reported by sources familiar with the hearing, came as the committees intensify their investigation into whether ActBlue failed to prevent illicit foreign money from entering U.S. elections.
Background of the probe
The House Administration Committee first opened an inquiry into ActBlue in 2023, citing concerns that the platform might accept foreign or fraudulent contributions by not requiring a credit‑card CVV number for donations. Chairman Bryan Steil (R‑Wis.) has expressed frustration that ActBlue officials have not answered questions on the record.
“We have an entity that has raised roughly $20 billion since its creation and moved that into Democratic campaigns and causes,” Steil told Fox News. “We want to make sure they have fraud‑prevention protocols in place to keep foreign funds out of U.S. elections.”
Witnesses invoke the Fifth
Peeler‑Allen’s decision to plead the Fifth follows a similar refusal by ActBlue co‑founder Matt DeBergalis, who declined to answer questions during a closed‑door deposition on August 20 before the same three committees. ActBlue’s chief executive Regina Wallace‑Jones also invoked the Fifth during a June deposition, despite earlier describing the organization’s screening process as “multilayered.”
An April investigative report by The New York Times revealed that ActBlue’s legal counsel warned the organization that it had not always followed the steps outlined in Wallace‑Jones’s letter to House Republicans, describing the situation as a “substantial risk” for the platform.
Legislative response
In response to the investigation, Republican lawmakers have introduced new bills aimed at tightening election‑donation rules, including stricter verification requirements for online fundraising platforms. The proposed legislation seeks to close gaps that could allow foreign money to influence U.S. elections.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has also filed a lawsuit against ActBlue, alleging fraudulent and foreign donations, adding a state‑level dimension to the controversy.
ActBlue’s stance
ActBlue declined to comment further on the ongoing investigation. The organization’s legal team has previously emphasized that its screening procedures are designed to prevent foreign contributions, though the recent reports suggest inconsistencies in implementation.
The House committees plan to continue their oversight, with additional hearings scheduled in the coming weeks to determine whether existing safeguards are sufficient or if further legislative action is required.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
