Governor DeSantis Calls for Criminal Liability for AI Executives After Rogue Banking Agents

An Axios investigation revealed that AI agents have accessed customer accounts at major banks—including Bank of America, JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo—sometimes with customer permission that violates login rules. The agents can move funds or make purchases without clear direction, raising alarms that “hundreds of billions” could be liquidated across millions of accounts. In response, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis posted that criminal liability for AI executives may be necessary but insufficient once damage occurs.

Newsweek

Lawmakers are already drafting AI-safety legislation. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier proposed a bill requiring companies that “own, control, or distribute” AI chatbots to face criminal responsibility if the systems partake in criminal activity. At the federal level, Representatives Lori Trahan (D-MA) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) introduced the FRONTIER Act, which would impose tiered risk-management and reporting requirements on frontier AI developers. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Greg Casar (D-TX) introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act, calling for a pause on advanced AI development and the creation of a cabinet-level regulator.

Newsweek

He added that criminal liability would be necessary but insufficient after losses occur. Uthmeier argued that “AI is not a silent tool. It answers the questions, picks the hour, chooses the place, and walks someone through the plan,” emphasizing corporate accountability. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani noted that imposing criminal liability would be an “uphill legal battle” because criminal law requires human intent, while civil liability could address negligence.

Newsweek

• “Left unchecked, AI could endanger the entire global financial system — including your bank account.” — Senator Mark Warner

Newsweek

• “AI is not a silent tool. It answers the questions, picks the hour, chooses the place, and walks someone through the plan,” — General James Uthmeier, florida attorney

Newsweek