The husband of former far-left Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) was hit with federal charges this week alleging that he committed wire fraud related ...
The husband of former far-left Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) was hit with federal charges this week alleging that he committed wire fraud related to the pandemic-era Paycheck Protection and Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs.
Cortney Merritts, 46, faces two counts of wire fraud for allegedly filing bogus applications in 2020 and 2021 with the United States Small Business Administration.
The indictment alleges that he obtained nearly $21,000 from the programs for his own benefit and enjoyment by lying on the applications about a company that he owned, including how many employees he had and the amount of revenue the company generated.
The Washington Post reported that while the indictment was signed by United States Attorney Ed Martin, President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as permanent top prosecutor in D.C., the investigation was launched during the Biden administration.
Federal prosecutors ordered that he immediately forfeit to the United States any property connected to the alleged crime.
Merritts’ attorney Justin Gelfand responded to the allegations: “We look forward to litigating this case in the courtroom.”
Bush was under federal criminal investigation last year over allegations that she misspent funds meant for personal security when she paid Merritts tens of thousands of campaign dollars to be her security guard.
The current status of the investigation is not known. No charges have been filed and she has not been formally accused of any criminal wrongdoing.
Bush represented her St. Louis-area district since 2021 after she toppled Rep. Lacy Clay (D-MO) in the 2020 primary, and over the years, she has faced scrutiny over payments for private security despite her calls to defund the police.
Her campaign has spent more than $750,000 on security services since 2019, according to federal election data. The congresswoman has previously said she was doling out money for protection because of attempts on her life.
She lost her seat in 2024 when she lost her primary to then-St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell, a more moderate Democrat.