Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., has come under scrutiny for the payments made to her husband and security guard by her campaign, totaling $15,000 in the first quarter of 2024. This comes as Bush is currently facing a Justice Department investigation for previous payments made to her husband for security services, which she argues is legal. According to Federal Elections Commission filings, her husband, Cortney Merritts, received $2,500 twice per month since January. Bush has defended these payments, stating that her husband provides security services at or below a fair market rate due to his extensive experience.
Bush’s campaign also paid over $139,000 in legal fees since January, but it is unclear if these payments are related to the ongoing investigation. Bush has not commented on these recent payments when reached out by Forbes. The congresswoman has been facing scrutiny for her high spending on security, especially after spending over $338,000 of campaign funds on security following the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. The investigations into Bush’s security spending began after complaints filed by right-wing organizations, which she has deemed as baseless and frivolous. The Office of Congressional Ethics previously determined that the payments made to Merritts were legitimate.
Despite the ongoing investigation, using campaign funds to pay family members is not necessarily illegal according to FEC rules. Candidates are allowed to do so as long as the family member provides a bonafide service to the campaign, and the payments reflect the fair market value of the services. Bush maintains that she has complied with all applicable laws and House rules, and will continue to prioritize the rules that govern federal elections officials. It remains to be seen how the Justice Department investigation will unfold and what impact it may have on Bush’s campaign going forward.
Bush’s position as a progressive member of Congress, part of the “Squad” of Democratic legislators, has garnered attention for her security spending in the past. The significant amount spent on security following the Capitol riots, including a large sum going to a private security firm and payments to her husband, has raised questions and led to investigations. The congresswoman has attributed the high security spending to the death threats she has received since taking office and the need for enhanced security measures. The involvement of the Justice Department and ongoing investigations continue to cast a shadow over Bush’s campaign and raise concerns about potential legal ramifications.
