In a recent development, the husband of former Democratic Missouri Representative Cori Bush has been charged by a federal court in Washington, D.C. with fraudulently acquiring over $20,000 from pandemic relief programs.
Cortney Merritts, aged 46, faces federal charges, including two counts of wire fraud, for allegedly misusing the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs during the COVID-19 crisis. The indictment accuses Merritts of securing funds through fraudulent applications submitted in 2020 and 2021 under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
According to the Daily Caller, U.S. Attorney Edward Martin Jr., alongside key federal agents, revealed that Merritts manipulated SBA provisions intended to support struggling businesses. On July 7, 2020, Merritts allegedly claimed an $8,500 EIDL loan for Vetted Couriers, a business purportedly employing six individuals with an annual gross revenue of $32,000.
The following day, he applied for another EIDL loan as a sole proprietor, inflating his employee count to 10 and reporting $53,000 in revenue. The SBA denied additional funds after discovering the near-identical nature of his applications.
The fraudulent activities intensified on April 22, 2021, when Merritts allegedly secured a $20,832 PPP loan by falsely declaring a new business with a gross income of $128,000. He subsequently filed for loan forgiveness, claiming the funds were used for payroll expenses, despite evidence suggesting personal use. The SBA eventually forgave the PPP loan, including interest, based on his misleading claims.
Amidst these legal troubles, it has come to light that Bush continued to make payments to her husband despite the ongoing federal investigation. Federal Election Commission records indicate that between April 12 and June 30, Bush paid Merritts $15,000 in wages. This occurred amidst scrutiny over previous campaign expenditures on security services, which included payments to Merritts, as reported by the New York Times.
Bush's political career has faced significant challenges, partly due to substantial financial backing for her primary opponents by pro-Israel groups such as the Jewish Democratic Council of America and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Her tenure has been marred by allegations of misconduct, fabrications, and peculiar incidents, all contributing to her political decline.
Additionally, Bush's controversial proposals, including a $14 trillion reparations plan in 2023 and a suggestion to defund the Pentagon, have likely exacerbated her political difficulties. These proposals have drawn criticism from conservative circles, emphasizing the importance of fiscal responsibility and national security.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Bush has not yet responded to requests for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation. The unfolding legal proceedings against Merritts, coupled with Bush's political challenges, underscore the complexities and controversies surrounding her tenure in Congress.
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