AOC’s Squad Under DOJ Investigation
Will Democrats let them off the hook for this or will justice actually be served for once?
Representative Cori Bush, hailing from Missouri and known for her progressive stance as a member of the “Squad,” has recently come under scrutiny for allocating an additional $15,000 to her husband from her campaign committee this year. This financial move has raised eyebrows, especially in light of an ongoing investigation by the Justice Department into her campaign expenditures. Recent filings unveiled that Bush’s campaign issued two payments of $2,500 each month to her husband, Cortney Merritts, spanning from January 1 to March 29, as disclosed in paperwork provided to the Federal Election Commission and made public on Monday.
This recent disbursement brings the total payment to Merritts for protection rendered since January 2022 to $135,000. These payments, categorized as “wage expenses” since April 2023, have drawn scrutiny, particularly against the backdrop of the ongoing Justice Department scrutiny. Despite repeated requests for comment, the Bush campaign remained silent on the matter.
In January, Bush acknowledged the Department of Justice’s scrutiny into her campaign’s spending on protection, asserting her utilization of campaign funds for personal protection, a privilege not extended to rank-and-file members of Congress by the House. She clarified that her decision to enlist her husband’s security services was in compliance with all the laws and House rules, emphasizing his expertise in security matters and his ability to offer services at or below market rates.
However, concerns have arisen regarding the equitable distribution of campaign funds, especially given the simultaneous increase in expenditures on security services from Missouri-based companies such as PEACE Security, totaling over $770,000. Questions have been raised about Merritts’ qualifications and licensing status, particularly since he lacked a private security license as of February 2023 and did not appear in a database of licensed security specialists in Washington, D.C.
Watchdog groups have filed multiple complaints against Bush regarding these security payments, one of which remains pending. The House Ethics Committee dismissed another complaint against her. Despite these controversies, Bush’s campaign has refrained from addressing inquiries regarding the payments.
Moreover, financial disclosures indicate that Bush is facing a significant cash deficit in the Democratic primary for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District. As of March 31, she reported $528,622 cash on hand, substantially less than her political challenger Wesley Bell, a left-leaning prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County, who boasts a war chest of $1.14 million. Bell’s financial advantage, supported by contributions from affluent Democratic donors, underscores the competitive landscape of the upcoming primary. Additionally, recent polling suggests that Bush may face an uphill battle in the primary, with Bell leading by a considerable margin.
Despite the challenges posed by financial constraints and ongoing investigations, Bush remains committed to her political objectives and continues to engage with constituents and stakeholders in her district. The controversy surrounding campaign expenditures has sparked discussions within political circles about transparency and accountability in campaign finance, with calls for greater oversight and scrutiny of how elected officials utilize campaign funds.
The broader implications of this controversy extend beyond the individual actions of Representative Bush, highlighting systemic issues within the campaign finance landscape that warrant attention and reform. As public scrutiny intensifies and investigations unfold, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching ramifications for political campaigns and the ethical standards expected of elected officials.
