TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Influencer and self-described misogynist Andrew Tate, charged in Romania with human trafficking and having intercourse with a minor, traveled to Florida after his journey ban was lifted, NBC News reports.
Joined by his brother and codefendant, Tristan Tate, Andrew Tate boarded a aircraft headed for Florida on Thursday, their U.S.-based lawyer, Joseph McBride, informed NBC. They landed in Fort Lauderdale at round noon.
The brothers, U.S.-U.Okay. twin residents who’ve amassed hundreds of thousands of followers on-line, have been arrested in late 2022 and formally indicted final 12 months on expenses alleging they participated in a felony ring that lured girls to Romania, the place they have been sexually exploited, in response to the Associated Press.
Andrew Tate was additionally charged with rape. The siblings deny the allegations in opposition to them.
Romania’s anti-organized crime company, DIICOT, stated in a press release to the AP Thursday that prosecutors accepted a request to alter the journey restrictions on the Tates, however did not say who made the request.
The brothers’ journey to Florida comes as a courtroom listening to is anticipated to get underway Thursday in a defamation go well with they filed in Palm Seaside County, their lawyer informed NBC. He added that the Tates wouldn’t attend the listening to in particular person and their journey plans are only a coincidence.
Andrew Tate, 38, a former skilled kickboxer and right-wing influencer who has amassed greater than 10 million followers on X, has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors in Romania haven’t any proof in opposition to him and that there’s a political conspiracy to silence him. He and Tristan Tate, 36, are vocal supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Tates’ departure from Romania comes after Overseas Minister Emil Hurezeanu stated this month that an official within the Trump administration expressed curiosity within the brothers’ case on the Munich Safety Convention. The minister insisted no strain was utilized to raise restrictions on the Tates after a Monetary Occasions report on the assembly brought on a stir in Romania.
Talking to NBC Information amid studies the White Home was concerned with the Tates’ departure, their lawyer declined to remark. The Trump administration didn’t reply to the outlet’s request for touch upon Thursday.
In a information convention Thursday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stated he came upon in regards to the brothers touring to his state via media studies.
“Clearly the federal authorities has jurisdiction whether or not they need to rebuff his entry into the USA and I’ve confidence that whether or not it is Pam Bondi or Kristi Noem, they are going to be that,” DeSantis stated.
The governor went on to say that Florida Lawyer Normal James Uthmeier is wanting into what the state of Florida can do on their finish.
“The truth is, no, Florida shouldn’t be a spot the place you are welcome with that kind of conduct,” DeSantis stated.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
