Rep. Cori Bush under federal investigation over campaign spending on security expenses
Federal prosecutors are investigating Rep. Cori Bush, a St. Louis Democrat, over her use of campaign funds to pay for security expenses — including thousands in payments to her husband.
Bush confirmed the investigation but denied wrongdoing in a statement on Tuesday, saying she was fully cooperating. She blamed the investigation on “right wing organizations.”
“In recent months, right wing organizations have lodged baseless complaints against me, peddling notions that I have misused campaign funds to pay for personal security services. That is simply not true,” Bush wrote. “I have complied with all applicable laws and House rules — and will continue to prioritize the rules that govern us as federal officials.”
Word of the federal investigation comes after the House Office of Congressional Ethics cleared Bush in October for paying thousands to her now husband, Cortney Merritts, for security. But federal prosecutors have broader powers than the ethics committee and can launch a more thorough investigation into Bush’s security expenses.
Rep. Pete Aguilar, the third-ranking Democrat in the House, declined to comment on reports about the investigation and said he has not spoken to Bush.
The U.S. Department of Justice served the House of Representatives with a grand jury subpoena, according to a communication read in the House on Monday. The communication did not specify what the DOJ was seeking with its subpoena, but did say the Sergeant of Arms would comply.
While the subpoena indicates that prosecutors are investigating Bush, the second-term congresswoman hasn’t been publicly accused of wrongdoing.The Justice Department does not confirm or deny ongoing investigations.
The investigation into Bush was first reported by Punchbowl, a Washington-based publication focused on Congress.
Bush’s security spending drew attention last year, after Bush announced that she had married Merritts, who provided security for her campaign. Since 2022, Bush has paid Merritts at least $105,209 in campaign funds for wages, security expenses and reimbursements, according to filings with the Federal Elections Commission.
The payments to Merritts were on top of $380,947 she spent on the firm Peace Security, part of the more than $756,748 Bush has paid for “security services” since taking office in 2021.
Bush is one of the more high-profile liberal members of Congress, as a member of the so-called “Squad”, a hard-line group of young Democrats known for pushing more progressive policies. Bush has drawn controversy when calling to “defund the police” and in her early support for a ceasefire in the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
Wesley Bell, the St. Louis County prosecutor, launched a campaign challenging Bush for her seat in October, after dropping his bid for U.S. Senate. Bell said Bush deserves due process, but called the investigation a “serious matter.”
“I entered this race because I believe the people of this district deserve a representative they can trust who will show up and get results for them,” Bell said. “I feel more strongly about that than ever.”
