The co-founder of the Democratic fundraising entity ActBlue invoked the Fifth Amendment during a deposition with three House Committees.
According to Fox News, the Committee on House Administration, the House Oversight Committee, and the House Judiciary Committee are conducting an investigation into the organization over allegations of negligent anti-fraud policies. Matt DeBergalis’ deposition lasted less than half an hour.
In June, House Republicans requested that five of ActBlue’s board members sit for transcribed interviews and hand over documents related to allegations of foreign donor fraud. “Information produced to the Committees and public reporting indicate that ActBlue’s Board of Directors may have participated in or been aware of this misconduct,” the Republican chairmen wrote in their letters. “Accordingly, we write to request your voluntary cooperation with our oversight.”
ActBlue’s CEO also invoked the Fifth Amendment earlier this year.
In April, five former and current employees of the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue invoked the Fifth Amendment 146 times during a congressional investigation into whether the organization allowed foreign money to flow into American elections.
A joint committee report released alongside the hearing alleges a significant exodus of ActBlue’s legal and compliance personnel following the 2024 presidential election. The report also states that one ActBlue attorney “appears to have been retaliated against by ActBlue executives for blowing the whistle.” A memo cited in the report warned that ActBlue could face allegations that it “accepted and/or facilitated the acceptance of foreign-national contributions,” and that any violations could be deemed “knowing and willful,” potentially triggering criminal exposure.
