(NewsNation) — The Department of Justice is conducting a criminal investigation into U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., over her campaign’s spending on security services, the lawmaker confirmed in a statement Tuesday.
Bush said she is “fully cooperating” with federal officials.
The allegations, according to Bush, surround her husband’s role in her campaign.
Last February, KDSK reported, Bush got married to Cortney Merritts, an Army veteran who worked for her campaign as a hired security guard.
“In accordance with all applicable rules, I retained my husband as part of my security team to provide security services because he has had extensive experience in this area, and is able to provide the necessary services at or below a fair market rate,” Bush said.
At a news conference, Bush repeated her statement to reporters but did not take questions.
Jake Sherman, founder of Punchbowl News, which was the first outlet to report on the investigation, wrote on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, that the Justice Department subpoenaed the House Sergeant at Arms for “for records relating to the misspending of federal security money.”
Fox News said a subpoena announcement was read on the House floor by the clerk on Monday.
A message from House Sergeant at Arms William McFarland stated his office received a subpoena for documents issued by the Justice Department, and they would comply with it. The message did not go into detail.
“Since before I was sworn into office, I have endured relentless threats to my physical safety and life,” Bush wrote in her statement. “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.”
However, Bush denied allegations that she’s used federal funds for personal security purposes, and called any reporting that she’s done so “simply false.” Right-wing organizations, Bush wrote, had lodged baseless complaints against her, which have resulted in a “number of investigations.”
A conservative group called the Committee to Defeat the President filed a Federal Election Commission complaint in March 2023 alleging Merritts’ employment violates two federal laws, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust filed a similar complaint that same month.
Under FEC rules, family members can be paid a salary with campaign funds, but only for “bona-fide” services. Such payments also have to reflect the fair market values of the services.
Both the FEC and the House Committee on Ethics are currently reviewing the matter, as well as the Justice Department. The Office of Congressional Ethics, Bush said, already dismissed the case, saying it did not find any wrongdoing against her.
“I have complied with all applicable laws and House rules — and will continue to prioritize the rules that govern us as federal elected officials,” Bush said.
The DOJ declined to say anything when asked about the investigation Tuesday.
“I am under no illusion that these right-wing organizations will stop politicizing and pursuing efforts to attack me and the work that the people of St. Louis sent me to Congress to do: to lead boldly, to legislate change my constituents can feel, and to save lives,” Bush said.
NewsNation digital producer Tyler Wornell contributed to this report.
