Rep. Cori Bush under federal investigation for alleged misuse of campaign funds

Ehren Wynder
·2 min read
17
UPI
Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., is under federal investigation for allegedly misusing campaign funds to retain her husband for security services during her 2022 re-election campaign. Bush has denied any wrongdoing and said she is "fully cooperating in this investigation." File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI

Jan. 30 (UPI) -- The Justice Department, Federal Election Commission and House Ethics Committee are investigating Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., for alleged misuse of campaign funds for personal security, she confirmed Tuesday.

The House sergeant-at-arms' office caused a news-media uproar in the Capitol Monday when it told the House that an unidentified member had received a subpoena from the Justice Department.

"I can confirm that the Department of Justice is reviewing my campaign's spending on security services," Bush said in a statement, adding that she is "fully cooperating in this investigation."

Bush said the Federal Election Commission and House Ethics Committee are investigating the issue. The Office of Congressional Ethics, which reviews and refers matters to the Ethics Committee, already voted unanimously to dismiss the case.

"I look forward to this same outcome from all pending investigations," Bush said.

The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, a nonpartisan ethics watchdog, filed a complaint with the FEC in March 2023, accusing Bush of potentially misusing campaign funds for personal expenses.

According to the complaint, Bush's 2022 re-election campaign paid her future husband, Cortney Merritts, $60,000 for security services.

"At issue is this case is whether the payments made to Merritts were for a bona fide service and at a fair market rate, and if not then they would be either a impermissible gift or a payment to a family member," the complaint read.

The complaint also alleged Merritts does not have a license to perform private security services in Bush's district and that he does not even appear in the government database of licensed security professionals in the Washington, D.C., area.

Bush defended the action, saying her husband "has had extensive experience in this area, and is able to provide the necessary services at or below a fair market rate."

House rules prohibit lawmakers from hiring close family members, but the same rule does not apply to campaigns.

Bush slammed the investigation, saying it was the result of "baseless" and "frivolous" complaints from far-right organizations.