Posted on January 30, 2024

‘Squad’ Rep. Cori Bush Under Federal Investigation Over Private Security Spending

Ryan King, New York Post, January 30, 2024

Federal investigators are probing far-left Rep. Cori Bush for purportedly misspending government money set aside for her personal security.

The investigation into Bush (D-Mo.), a vocal advocate of the “Defund the police” movement, was first reported Tuesday by Punchbowl News after a subpoena was delivered to the office of the House sergeant at arms and announced on the floor of the chamber by the clerk Monday.

Bush, 47, confirmed the investigation in an afternoon statement, saying her office was “fully cooperating.”

“Since before I was sworn into office, I have endured relentless threats to my physical safety and life,” she said. “As a rank-and-file member of Congress, I am not entitled to personal protection by the House and instead have used campaign funds as permissible to retain security services. I have not used any federal tax dollars for personal security services. Any reporting that I have used federal funds for personal security is simply false.”

Bush’s spending came under scrutiny after she paid $60,000 in 2022 to her now-husband, Cortney Merritts, to provide “security services” for her.

At the same time, Federal Election Commission records show, Bush’s campaign was paying more than $225,000 to a St. Louis-based firm called PEACE Security and $50,000 to another security guard named Nathaniel Davis.

Merritts was paid despite not holding a private security license as required by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, according to the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust.

Last year, FACT filed an ethics complaint against Bush over the payments to her hubby.

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Over her first two years in office, Bush dropped nearly $500,000 on private security while embracing the “Defund” movement.

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