Overview
- Romania’s anti‑organized crime agency filed the fresh indictment on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, charging Andrew Tate with trafficking minors, sex with a minor, money laundering and witness tampering and charging Tristan Tate with complicity.
- Prosecutors say the Tates lured victims by feigning romantic intent, forced at least one 15‑year‑old to produce webcam pornography between 2012 and 2021, and kept about $1.2–$1.25 million from the earnings.
- DIICOT alleges the brothers tried to launder proceeds by buying four luxury cars that prosecutors now seek to confiscate and that victims were paid or intimidated to withhold statements.
- The brothers remain in U.S. federal custody in Miami fighting a separate U.K. extradition request, and Romanian procedure requires a preliminary chamber review before any trial can begin.
- Their Romanian lawyer says the defense will challenge evidential and procedural flaws, and the case’s path will hinge on the preliminary review and how competing extradition requests are resolved.