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TThe Department of Justice has opened an investigation into Democratic Rep. Cori Bush for allegedly diverting campaign funds to private security, the Missouri congresswoman confirmed in a statement Tuesday.
The scope of the allegations was not immediately clear, but a congressional ethics investigation previously raised questions about allegations that she used campaign funds to hire her husband, Courtney Merritt, as collateral. Federal law prohibits lawmakers from paying family members to work in public office unless they provide “bona fide” services to their campaigns. The Office of Congressional Ethics dismissed her complaint against Bush last fall, concluding that her husband performed security work in good faith and that she was not overpaid.
Bush paid Merritt $60,000 in 2022 and $42,500 in 2023, according to Federal Election Commission filings. The couple married in February 2023.
“As an ordinary member of Congress, I am not entitled to personal protection from the House of Representatives, and instead I have used my campaign funds to the extent permissible to maintain public order,” Bush said in a statement. “I do not spend any federal tax dollars on personal security services.” She said she is “cooperating fully” with the investigation.
The Justice Department declined to comment.
Under federal election law, members of Congress can use campaign funds to pay for private security when they’re not at the Capitol, but only for “bona fide” security services.
Bush, a former Black Lives Matter organizer whose district includes St. Louis, has played a key role in the progressive wing of the House Democratic Caucus since his 2020 election, leading a group of Democratic lawmakers known as the “Squad.” became a member of. ” Mr. Bush is currently running for re-election.
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