The husband of former U.S. Rep. Cori Bush Missouri DemocratsThe Justice Department said it was alleged to be accused of cheating the government after receiving $20,000 in payments from a pandemic-era salary protection and economic injury disaster loan program.
Federal prosecutors said Thursday that Cortney Merritts of St. Louis, 46, forged details about his alleged business to obtain loans from the Small Business Administration in 2020 and 2021.
He was charged with two counts Wire fraud.
Cori Bush’s campaign paid her husband $17,500, bringing his total to $120,000
Former Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo. and her husband, Cortney Merritts, 46, were charged with wire fraud. (Getty Image)
“Mr. Merritts intends to be innocent of the charges,” said in a statement. “As with any prosecution, this is just a version of the government’s story. We look forward to litigating in this case.” Federal Court In Washington, DC”
Merritts repeatedly applied for business loans from a company he said he operated, while allegedly misrepresenting the income and number of people he hired.
Cori Bush’s campaign continues to pay thousands of dollars to her husband for private security
D-Mo. Rep. Cori Bush delivered her charter speech at a primary viewing party in St. Louis on August 6, 2024. (Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)
A loan application in July 2020 was denied because it was nearly the same as the loan he submitted earlier, prosecutors said.
Merritts was indicted a year after the Justice Department investigated Bush, a former member of the Squad, for a campaign paid to her husband.
Last year, Bush was attacked by Hamas terrorists on his citizens for criticizing Israel’s response to October 7, 2023.
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The so-called “squad” Bush formerly belonged to the informal progressive legislators group in Congress, including representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, dn.y. Ilhan Omar of D-Minn; Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass. ; and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.
