Court Orders Andrew Tate and Brother Tristan to Forfeit £2m Over Tax Evasion Allegations
Controversial influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan face the seizure of over £2m after a UK court ruled they failed to pay taxes on £21m earned from their online ventures. The funds, held across seven frozen bank accounts, include cryptocurrency linked to alleged financial misconduct.
Court’s FindingsDevon and Cornwall Police initiated the seizure, targeting accounts connected to the brothers and a third individual referred to as “J.” Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring, presiding over Westminster Magistrates’ Court, dismissed the complexity of the brothers’ financial arrangements, calling them a “straightforward cheat of the revenue.”
Andrew Tate decried the decision as a “coordinated attack,” claiming it was an effort to silence those challenging societal norms.
Revenue Tied to Alleged Crimes
The court heard evidence connecting some of the revenue to allegations of human trafficking the brothers face in Romania. Prosecutors revealed that nearly $12m (£9.5m) had been funneled into accounts under “J’s” name, despite her lack of involvement in their businesses. These ventures include the War Room, Hustlers’ University, and Cobra Tate, among others.
Police also traced cryptocurrency assets linked to “J,” alleging they were part of the brothers’ scheme to evade taxes.
Police CaseDevon and Cornwall Police argued that between 2014 and 2022, the brothers generated £21m in traceable income despite lacking significant qualifications, business experience, or tangible assets. Their lawyers cited Andrew Tate’s public admission of deliberately avoiding UK taxes, characterizing his approach as “ignore, ignore, ignore because in the end they go away.”
Court RulingThe court ruled in favor of the police, allowing them to seize £2,683,345, including cryptocurrency holdings. Judge Goldspring stated he was satisfied that the brothers had engaged in “long-standing, deliberate conduct to evade their tax obligations.”
The judge also highlighted evidence tying one account to significant payments related to Romanian human trafficking allegations. He noted that these funds were not declared in the UK or Romania, further supporting claims of tax evasion and money laundering.
Tate’s Response
Andrew Tate criticized the ruling, describing it as “outright theft.” In a statement, he accused the system of targeting dissenters, saying, “Speak against the matrix, and they’ll come for your freedom, your reputation, and your livelihood.”
Despite bans from platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook for alleged hate speech, Andrew Tate remains active on X (formerly Twitter), where he has over 10 million followers.
Ongoing Legal Battles
The Tates’ legal troubles extend beyond financial misconduct. Romanian prosecutors have charged Andrew Tate with rape, human trafficking, and forming a criminal gang. Tristan Tate faces similar charges. Authorities allege the brothers lured victims with false promises of love and marriage. Both deny the allegations.
Judge Goldspring referenced the Romanian criminal proceedings in his ruling, stating that while the Romanian courts will determine whether the brothers’ webcam business constitutes modern slavery, the evidence presented supports claims of undeclared income and criminal financial activities.
Police and Extradition
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson welcomed the decision, emphasizing that the brothers allegedly laundered money through “front” accounts to disguise the origins of their income. The police await the conclusion of a 28-day appeal period before commenting further.
Separately, Bedfordshire Police is pursuing the Tates’ extradition to the UK over allegations of rape and human trafficking. Romanian authorities will address the extradition request after the resolution of the ongoing case in Bucharest.
What’s Next?
With their financial assets under scrutiny and multiple criminal charges pending, Andrew and Tristan Tate face a protracted legal battle in both Romania and the UK. The court’s ruling marks a significant blow to their claims of innocence and further compounds their challenges on the global stage.
