‘Smurf’ culture makes better cartoon than political fundraising tactic, declares letter to ActBlue

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird are co-leading a 19-state letter to ActBlue officials seeking information on whether ActBlue has appropriate safeguards in place to combat improper donation activity, including, among other things, the practice of “smurfing” — a type of money laundering in which large donations are broken up in a way that disguises who the money comes from so that donor can skirt contribution limits.

“Hoosiers deserve to know that the powerful interests funding political campaigns are operating ethically and legally,” Attorney General Rokita said. “They deserve the assurance that elections are being conducted with fairness and integrity rather than rigged in ways that dilute and undermine their own individual votes.” 

Recent reporting suggests that individuals identified on Federal Election Commission filings as having made donations through ActBlue (and other affiliated entities) may not have made those donations. 

ActBlue, one of the largest fundraising platforms for election-related donations, has processed billions of dollars in campaign contributions this election cycle. 

To ensure confidence in elections, citizens deserve transparency and assurance that political donations — particularly in such large volumes — are being solicited, made and processed consistent with campaign finance, consumer protection and other state and federal laws.