The Justice Department is conducting an investigation into Representative Cori Bush (D-Mo.), a member of the far-left “Squad,” over alleged misuse of government funds designated for her security, according to two sources informed by Fox News.
The probe centers on accusations of improper spending of federal security money. A subpoena announcement related to the investigation was made on the House floor, with sources indicating its connection to Bush.
BUSTED: Jesse Watters blows up evidence on MASSIVE screen exposing "Squad" member Rep. Cori Bush's tax-payer funded money laundering scheme— Hiring her LOVER as her private security?! pic.twitter.com/ET9LxocKCx
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 31, 2024
In response to Fox News Digital, Bush’s office confirmed that the Department of Justice is reviewing her campaign’s spending on security services. The congresswoman attributed the probe to “right-wing organizations” and denied using federal tax dollars for personal security, labeling such reports as false.
The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT), a watchdog group, defended its official complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in 2023. The complaint raised concerns about repeated payments made by Bush to her now-husband, initially characterized as “security” payments in FEC filings. FACT’s complaint highlighted a close personal relationship, substantial payments to others for similar services simultaneously, and her husband’s reported lack of a license for those services.
“In her own FEC filings the payments were initially characterized as being for ‘security.’ Among the many troubling facts involved that we strongly felt justified an investigation were her close personal relationship, her large payments to others for the same services at the same time, and that her husband reportedly didn’t have a license to provide those services,” FACT executive director Kendra Arnold said.
Speculation on social media initially linked the DOJ probe to the January 6 events, but sources later clarified its focus on Bush. Notably, Bush spent over $500,000 on private security while advocating for the defunding of the police.
Bush’s husband, Cortney Merritts, a former security guard, received over $100,000 in payments from her campaign, initially marked as “security” and later changed to “wage expenses.” FEC complaints in March 2023 questioned the legality of these payments, with one filed by the Committee to Defeat the President and another by FACT.
As various bodies, including the FEC and the House Committee on Ethics, investigate the matter, Bush contends that the allegations are politically motivated, and she looks forward to a fair resolution.
