Federal investigators are investigating Rep. Cori Bush is on the far left for allegedly misspending money set aside for her personal security.
The investigation into Bush (D-Mo.), a vocal supporter of the “Defund the police” movement, is reported Tuesday by Punchbowl News after the subpoena was sent to the office of the sergeant of the House in hand and announced on the chamber floor by the clerk Monday.
Bush, 47, was first elected to Congress in 2020 from a district that includes all of St. Louis.
Her spending came into focus after she paid $60,000 in 2022 to her now-husband, Cortney Merritts, to provide “security services” for her.
At the same time, FEC records show, the Bush campaign paid more than $225,000 to a firm based in St. Louis named PEACE Security and $50,000 to another security guard named Nathaniel Davis.
Fox News Digital reported in February 2023 that Merritts was paid despite not holding a private security license as required by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Louis since 2012.
Federal prosecutors are launching a criminal investigation into progressive congresswoman Cori Bush. Getty Images Her spending came into focus after she paid $60,000 in 2022 to her now-husband, Cortney Merritts, to provide “security services” for her. Courtney Merritts/Facebook
The outlet also reported that Merritts is not licensed as a security officer by the District of Columbia.
Under FEC rules, campaigns can only make payments to family members for “bona fide” services.
In October, the Office of Congressional Ethics Board unanimously recommended that Bush be cleared following complaints by conservative watchdog groups.
Merritts was paid despite not holding a private security license as required by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Louis since 2012. Twitter / @CortneyMerritt4 Under FEC rules, campaigns can only make payments to family members for “bona fide” services. Twitter / @CortneyMerritt4 During his first two years in office, Bush dropped nearly $500,000 on private security while embracing the “Defund” movement, according to reports. Getty Images
“The political attack on my campaign is a stark example of how right-wing extremist groups will stop at nothing to smear those who work unapologetically in the service of our society,” Bush said at the time.
During his first two years in office, Bush dropped nearly $500,000 on private security while embracing the “Defund” movement.
“I’m going to make sure I have security because I know I’ve tried in my life and I have too much work to do,” Bush told CBS News in August 2021. “So if I end up spending $200,000, if I spend … 10 dollars besides that, you know what? I’ll be here to do the work.”
“This is to officially notify you pursuant to rule 8 of the rules of the House of Representatives that the office of the sergeant at arms for the House of Representatives has been served with a grand jury subpoena for documents issued by the US Department of Justice” pic.twitter.com/Qct7SsGuRi
— Acyn (@Acyn) January 29, 2024
Bush is running for a third term later this year but faces a spirited challenge from St. Louis County Wesley Bell. SHAWN THEW/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
“Therefore, take it, and funding the police has to happen,” he added. “We need to deny the police money and put that money into the social safety net because we’re trying to save lives.”
Bush is running for a third term later this year but faces a spirited challenge from St. Louis County Wesley Bell.
The Justice Department declined to comment Tuesday, while a Bush spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Additional reporting by Josh Christenson
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
