‘Another one bites the dust’: Cori Bush under fire as DOJ probes alleged misuse of campaign funds

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI: Congresswoman Cori Bush, a member of the Democratic party, has been accused of misusing funds from her campaign account to pay for private security.

Bush, who has been a vocal advocate for defunding the police and reparations for African Americans, has spent over $750,000 on security since her election in 2020.

The allegations have led to a federal investigation by the Justice Department into her campaign’s expenditure.

The criminal investigation was prompted by an ethics watchdog's request for an inquiry into the $62,000 that Bush paid to her current husband, Cortney Merritts, from her campaign funds, according to a report by the DailyMail.

Bush has denied any wrongdoing and instead blamed "right-wing organizations" for spurring the investigation.

What did Missouri lawmaker say regarding the allegations?

Rep Bush (D-Mo.) married Cortney Merritts, who was one of her bodyguards, in a private ceremony in early 2023.

A year ago, Merritts was on the payroll of her re-election campaign.

Bush said in a statement, “I can confirm that the Department of Justice is reviewing my campaign’s spending on security services. We are fully cooperating in this investigation.”

“Since before I was sworn into office, I have endured relentless threats to my physical safety and life,” she shared with reporters. 

The Missouri Democrat also stated that she is not entitled to personal security as a “rank-and-file member of Congress".

Rather, she says she has hired security services using campaign funds, including her husband, who she claims has "extensive" expertise in the industry.

“I have not used any federal tax dollars for personal security services. Any reporting that I have used federal funds for personal security is simply false,” she contended.

On Monday, January 29, the Justice Department issued a subpoena to the House Sergeant at Arms for records relating to the misuse of funds for private security.

When pressed by the media on Monday night, Bush said she was not the primary subject at the heart of the investigation and chastised reporters for raising the question.

The non-partisan Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) requested that FEC acting general counsel Lisa Stevenson investigate if Squad member and BLM activist Bush "used campaign funds for personal use".

Bush stated that the FEC and the Ethics Committee are also looking into the matter.

“These frivolous complaints have resulted in a number of investigations, some of which are still ongoing. The Federal Election Commission and the House Committee on Ethics are currently reviewing the matter, as is the Department of Justice. We are fully cooperating in all of these pending investigations,” Bush clarified. 

What did authorities say about the investigation?

FACT executive director Kendra Arnold stated in the complaint, “It appears Rep Bush's campaign may have made payments for services that were unnecessary or above fair market value because of her personal relationship with the payee.”

Arnold argued, “If so, these payments would qualify as either impermissible payments to a family member or an impermissible gift.”

Although the hiring of family members is often looked down upon, it is not legally prohibited.

However, if an individual pays their family member over the "fair market value," it would be considered illegal.

Furthermore, payments to family members must be for "bonafide services" that are related to their official duties.

In a recent Fox News report, it was revealed that Bush had engaged her now-spouse, Merritts, as her security guard, despite the fact that he did not possess the requisite license mandated by the St. Louis Police Department.

According to the same report, Merritts was not licensed to perform security duties in Washington, DC, either.

The 47-year-old progressive lawmaker insisted, “In accordance with all applicable rules, I retained my husband as part of my security team to provide security services because he has had extensive experience in this area, and is able to provide the necessary services at or below a fair market rate.”

Bush's campaign paid Merritts $2,500 in 24 bi-weekly installments in 2022 for security services.

It also paid $250,000 to PEACE Security, a St. Louis-based firm, and $50,000 to an individual by the name of Nathaniel Davis, according to FEC records.

Arnold highlighted in her statement, “Any time a member of Congress puts someone with a close personal relationship on the campaign payroll, increased scrutiny is necessary to ensure the legal standard has been met, which in this case is that the payments were for 'bona fide services at a fair market value'."

“Both the fact that reportedly Bush's husband isn't licensed to provide security services for which he was paid, and that she was simultaneously paying large amounts to another company for the same services raise red flags that warrant an investigation by the FEC,” she noted.

Internet blasts Squad member Cori Bush

People on X slammed the 47-year-old progressive Missouri lawmaker for the allegations brought against her that might see her political career getting curtailed.

One X user remarked: “Cori Bush blatantly broke the law. DOJ will go through the formal investigation process but there’s no question what she did was a crime. The only question is whether or not she’ll face real consequences. Rep. Jamaal Bowman was never held accountable for his fire alarm crime."

Another user said: "Isn't it something when "defund the police" turns into fund my security? Who knew keeping it in the family meant federal funds?"

Another user wrote: "These younger democrat women politicians are more crooked than any robber or mafia boss. See Mayor of Dalton, IL"

One user claimed: "The purpose of governance has been overshadowed by the pursuit of power, instead of public service. Bureaucratic roles are filled by careerist politicians driven by personal, political, and financial gain, rather than the betterment of society. The corrupt are in control."

Another X user remarked: "The only thing Democrats do is cheat, lie & steal."

Finally, this user tweeted: "Another one bites the dust."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.