The Justice Department has officially confirmed that it never opened an investigation into Rep. Anna Paulina Luna regarding allegations of insider trading in prediction markets. This confirmation comes after a series of reports and political attacks that had cast a shadow over the Florida congresswoman.
The controversy began with a report suggesting that Luna had shared advance knowledge of President Donald Trump’s 2026 running-mate selection with associates, who then placed winning bets on the prediction market Polymarket. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) seized on this report, accusing Luna of engaging in “self-serving politics.”
Justice Department’s Official Statement
In a letter addressed to Luna’s attorney, Charlies Spies, Associate Deputy Attorney General Diego Pestana made it clear that the Congresswoman was never the target of any investigation. Pestana stated, “I can confirm that the Department at no point had an open investigation into allegations that Rep. Luna engaged in criminal conduct, including allegations about insider trading in prediction markets.”
Pestana further emphasized that the Department never received a referral based on those same allegations from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). “It is important to note that any criminal referrals from the CFTC would be sent to the Department, including to one of its U.S. Attorney’s Offices. In the instance of Rep. Luna, no such referral was made. Thus, the Department never had an open investigation in this matter,” Pestana wrote.
The Wall Street Journal Report and Political Fallout
A report published by The Wall Street Journal last month alleged that Luna had informed associates during Summer 2026 that she knew Trump would select JD Vance as Vice President. According to the report, Luna passed this information to conservative influencer Rogan O’Handley, who placed a winning wager on Polymarket.
The report sparked a wave of criticism from the DCCC, which accused Luna of “helping herself and her Washington insider allies cash in.” However, it is important to note that the Journal report clarified that the matter was part of a larger CFTC investigation into prediction market betting among Washington insiders, not Luna specifically.
Luna’s Response to the Allegations
Rep. Luna vehemently denied the allegations, calling the attempt to politically smear her “disgusting.” She posted on X, “This disgusting attempt to politically smear me fell flat on its face because it was based on lies. I was never under investigation and The Wall Street Journal reported false information based on one ‘anonymous source’ and then cherry picked my quote to spin their own fake narrative.”
Luna further stated that the person who made these false allegations has now been referred for criminal investigation. “That’s not journalism that’s a political hit job. Any and all outlets who reported this fake story will be forced to retract and take down. We have already sent one cease and desist, more incoming if these outlets don’t correct their false reporting,” she added.
The Impact of the Confirmation
The Justice Department’s confirmation has significant implications for the ongoing political discourse surrounding Luna. The allegations had fueled a narrative of insider trading and political favoritism, which the Department’s statement now effectively dispels.
For Luna, this confirmation is a vindication of her stance that the allegations were baseless and politically motivated. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information before it is reported, especially in the context of politically charged issues.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, this case highlights the need for responsible journalism and the potential consequences of spreading unverified information. The confirmation from the Justice Department not only clears Luna’s name but also underscores the importance of due diligence in reporting on sensitive matters.
