Justice Department investigating Democratic Rep. Cori Bush over alleged misuse of campaign funds

WASHINGTON — WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is investigating whether Democratic Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri misused campaign funds for her own personal security, the progressive lawmaker confirmed in a statement Tuesday.

Bush, a second-term lawmaker, denied any wrongdoing and said she is “fully cooperating” with federal prosecutors.

“As a full-time member of Congress, I am not entitled to personal protection by the House of Representatives, and have instead used campaign funds as authorized to maintain security forces,” Bush said. “I have not used federal tax dollars for personal security services.”

Her statement came a day after the Justice Department subpoenaed the office of the House Sergeant of Arms for related documents. The Justice Department declined to comment.

Since his visit to the House of Representatives in 2021, Bush, a black woman with activist roots, has been the target of right-wing attacks. As a result, she spent a significant amount of money on private security while on Capitol Hill and at home in her district in St. Louis.

The issue of how Bush funded her security is also under investigation by the Federal Election Commission and the House Committee on Ethics. She came under controversy for paying her current husband Cortney Merritts at least $60,000 in campaign money in 2022, prompting an ethics complaint from conservative groups. The Office of Congressional Ethics voted unanimously in October to clear Bush of any wrongdoing.

“I look forward to the same outcome from all ongoing investigations,” Bush said Tuesday.

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to comment further Tuesday, saying he has yet to read Bush’s full statement on the ongoing investigation.

“I’m sure we’ll have communication about it at some point,” Jeffries told reporters.

Punchbowl News first reported the news of the Bush investigation.

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Associated Press writer Kevin Freking contributed to this report.