In a recent development, Representative Cori Bush, a progressive Democrat from Missouri, has come under scrutiny for funneling campaign funds to her husband, Cortney Merritts. According to new filings reviewed by Digital, Bush’s committee has paid Merritts over $100,000 since he was added to the campaign’s payroll nearly two years ago. However, the description of these payments has been altered, raising questions about their nature.
The latest filings reveal that Bush’s committee paid Merritts $12,500 for “wage expenses” between July and August. Previously, Merritts had been categorized as providing security services, but the committee changed the characterization in April, which has drawn further attention to the payments. This additional cash follows the $30,000 paid to Merritts by Bush’s campaign in the third quarter. In total, Merritts has received $102,500 from the committee since joining in January 2022.
Bush has defended the payments to her husband, citing the need for personal security due to previous attempts on her life. She has also paid significant amounts to security firms, in addition to the payments to Merritts. However, the decision to switch the description of the payments and the lack of response from Bush’s campaign regarding these changes have raised concerns.
Moreover, it has been discovered that Bush’s campaign also sent $5,000 to a St. Louis-based security firm called All American Protective Consultants. The company, established in March and registered under the name 720 Firm, did not receive any comment from Bush’s campaign on their involvement.
Interestingly, it was revealed that Merritts did not possess a private security license as of late February and was not listed as a licensed security specialist in Washington, D.C. These findings, coupled with the altered descriptions of the payments, have prompted at least two Federal Election Commission (FEC) complaints from watchdog groups.
This is not the first time Bush has faced criticism for her use of private security. In July 2021, Digital reported on her security payments while she advocated for defunding the police. This led to questions about the appropriateness of hiring a security detail while pushing for reduced funding for law enforcement.
Despite the controversy surrounding these payments, Bush has remained steadfast in her defense, emphasizing the importance of her personal security due to the threats she has received. However, the ongoing scrutiny and FEC complaints raise questions about the transparency and appropriateness of these campaign expenditures.
It remains to be seen how these developments will impact Bush’s political career and her standing within the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. As the controversy unfolds, it is crucial to examine the ethical implications and potential consequences of campaign funds being directed towards personal expenses and security services.
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