Cori Bush’s Husband Indicted For Pandemic Loan Fraud

Federal prosecutors charge Cortney Merritts with defrauding taxpayers while Bush faces mounting scrutiny.

In yet another blow to the far-left progressive wing of the Democratic Party, former Rep. Cori Bush’s husband has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly defrauding the government during the pandemic.

Cortney Merritts, 46, faces two counts of wire fraud after prosecutors say he lied on applications for pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds, collecting nearly $21,000 in taxpayer money under false pretenses.

According to the indictment, Merritts filed bogus applications in 2020 and 2021, inflating the number of employees and revenue figures tied to his supposed business. Federal authorities have moved to seize any property connected to the alleged crimes.

This is far from the first controversy surrounding Cori Bush’s inner circle. Last year, Bush herself came under federal investigation after questions arose regarding tens of thousands of campaign dollars she funneled to her husband for “security services” despite the fact that Merritts reportedly lacked the proper credentials. Bush, a vocal advocate for defunding the police, spent a staggering $750,000 on private security services since 2019, raising eyebrows over potential misuse of campaign funds while the public faces skyrocketing crime and lawlessness.

While no formal charges have been filed against Bush yet, the walls appear to be closing in. Merritts’ indictment comes just months after Bush was ousted from her St. Louis-area seat in the 2024 primary by a more moderate Democrat, Wesley Bell a clear rejection of her radical, anti-police agenda.

It’s a familiar story: progressive politicians preaching “equity” and “justice,” all while enriching themselves and their close associates at the expense of taxpayers. And while Merritts’ attorney has claimed they’ll fight the charges in court, the indictment is a damning development in a growing list of ethical questions surrounding Bush’s camp.

Meanwhile, average Americans those who genuinely needed help during the pandemic are left wondering how much more corruption and abuse remains hidden beneath the surface of Washington’s so-called “public servants.”

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