Bombshell: ActBlue Co-Founder Pleads Fifth in House Deposition
ActBlue Co-Founder Pleads the Fifth: What You Need to Know About the Congressional Investigation
NEWS ALERT: This is a developing story about a major Democratic fundraising platform facing serious questions from Congress.
What Happened?
Matt DeBergalis, the co-founder of ActBlue (a huge online fundraising platform used by Democrats), appeared before three House committees on Thursday. Instead of answering questions, he pleaded the Fifth Amendment—meaning he refused to speak because his answers might be used against him in a criminal case.
His deposition lasted only about 25 minutes.
Who Is Investigating and Why?
Three powerful Republican-led House committees are working together on this probe:
| Committee | Role |
|---|---|
| House Administration Committee | Oversees U.S. election laws |
| House Oversight Committee | Investigates government operations and potential wrongdoing |
| House Judiciary Committee | Handles legal and constitutional matters |
The Core Allegation
Investigators claim ActBlue had weak fraud prevention that may have allowed foreign money to illegally flow into U.S. political campaigns.
Key Facts About ActBlue
- What is it? The main online donation platform for Democratic candidates and causes
- How big? Has raised roughly $20 billion since its creation
- Who uses it? Major figures like:
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)
- Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
- Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed
- Hundreds of other Democratic campaigns
Timeline of the Investigation
- 2023 — House Administration Committee opens probe
- Early 2023 — Chairman Bryan Steil (R-WI) accuses ActBlue of not requiring CVV codes (the 3-digit security code on credit cards) for donations
- Later 2023 — ActBlue adds CVV requirement
- April 2025 — Committees release report claiming ActBlue executives knew about fraud but "did not take the threat seriously"
- Early 2025 — ActBlue’s current CEO invokes Fifth Amendment at public hearing
- May 2025 — Co-founder Matt DeBergalis pleads Fifth in closed-door deposition
Important Points to Understand
PLEADING THE FIFTH ≠ GUILT
- The Fifth Amendment protects everyone from being forced to testify against themselves
- Courts have ruled that silence cannot be used as evidence of guilt
- It’s a constitutional right, not an admission of wrongdoing
ACTBLUE’S RESPONSE
- Has repeatedly denied breaking any laws
- Says it takes fraud prevention seriously
- Updated its systems to require CVV codes after criticism
WHY THIS MATTERS
- Foreign donations to U.S. elections are illegal
- ActBlue processes billions in political money
- If safeguards failed, it could undermine election integrity
What Chairman Steil Says
"It’s unclear how serious ActBlue is now taking fraud. We know that they weakened their fraud standards previously. Did they make the changes that are needed to root out foreign funds from coming into U.S. Elections?"
He also noted frustration that multiple ActBlue executives have now refused to answer questions:
"They have a right to not answer our questions, but I think the American people also have a right to know exactly what’s taking place on this platform that has raised roughly $20 billion for Democratic candidates and liberal causes since its creation."
Summary
- ActBlue co-founder Matt DeBergalis pleaded the Fifth during a congressional deposition
- Three House committees are investigating whether weak fraud controls allowed illegal foreign donations
- ActBlue denies wrongdoing and has added security measures (like CVV requirements)
- Previous CEO also invoked Fifth Amendment earlier this year
- Committee report alleges executives knew about fraud risks but didn’t act urgently
- Investigation continues — more developments likely
FAQ
What is the Fifth Amendment in simple terms?
It’s part of the U.S. Constitution that says you don’t have to say anything that could be used to criminally prosecute you. It’s often called "pleading the Fifth" or "taking the Fifth."
Does pleading the Fifth mean someone is guilty?
No. The Supreme Court has ruled that exercising this right cannot be treated as evidence of guilt. Innocent people use it too—sometimes because they fear their words could be twisted or taken out of context.
What is a CVV code and why does it matter for donations?
The CVV (Card Verification Value) is the 3-digit code on the back of a credit card. Requiring it helps prove the donor physically has the card, making it harder for stolen card numbers or automated bots to make fake donations.
Can foreigners legally donate to U.S. political campaigns?
No. Federal law strictly prohibits foreign nationals from donating to any U.S. election—federal, state, or local. This is a serious crime.
What happens next in this investigation?
The committees will likely:
- Review documents and testimony gathered so far
- Potentially subpoena more witnesses or records
- Issue a final report with findings
- Possibly recommend legislation to tighten online donation rules
- Refer any evidence of crimes to the Department of Justice
This article is based on reporting from Fox News Digital. The investigation is ongoing and ActBlue maintains its innocence.