Rep. Cory Bush, a Missouri Democrat, is facing charges of violating federal campaign finance laws by paying her husband nearly $62,000 for security over the past year.
The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust sent a letter to the Federal Election Commission on Thursday urging an investigation into the matter. The ethics group argues that since Ms. Bush had a personal relationship with a vendor for her campaign, the payments require further investigation.
The group’s executive director, Kendra Arnold, said, “It appears that Rep. Bush’s campaign may have paid for services that were unnecessary or in excess of fair market value, because of their personal relationship with the payer.” ” “If so, these payments would qualify as either a permissible payment to a family member or an impermissible gift.”
Ms Bush, who was first elected to the House in 2020, complained days after announcing her marriage to Courtney Merritts. FEC records show that Mr. Merritt was paid about $62,000 over the past year as Ms. Bush’s security campaign.
Fox News reported that the payment occurred even though Mr. Merritts did not have a security guard license in Missouri or the District of Columbia.
Although House ethics rules prohibit lawmakers from hiring family members, federal campaign finance laws impose no such restrictions, provided that “fair market value” is paid. The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust argues that since Mr. Merritt does not hold a security guard license, fair market value cannot be met.