Rep. Cori Bush is facing a federal investigation for allegedly using taxpayer funds to pay her husband for personal security.
New filings reveal additional payments of $17,500 to her husband in 2023, bringing the total to $120,000.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking records related to her use of taxpayer funds for personal security.
My statement on campaign spending on security services ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/35IM7tT0Eh
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) January 30, 2024
“Since before I was sworn into office, I have endured relentless threats to my physical safety and life,” Bush wrote on X.
Bush’s campaign made payments to her husband, who was initially hired for security services but later described as receiving “wage expenses.”
“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,” Bush said.
“These frivolous complaints have resulted in a number of investigations, some of which are still ongoing,” she said. “The Federal Election Commission and the House Committee on Ethics are currently reviewing the matter, as is the Department of Justice. We are fully cooperating in all of these pending investigations.”
“She doesn’t even support the police. But the idea to pay her thug money to try to help protect her this and that, for what?” Rep. Troy Nehls said. “Maybe if she wouldn’t be so loud all the time, maybe she wouldn’t be getting threats.”
Bush confirmed the investigations and accused Rep. Troy Nehls of racism for calling the security payments “thug money.”
“@RepTroyNehls just called my husband, a Black man and army veteran, a thug. And I’m the loud Black woman who needs to be silent in order to be safe from violence, or else?” Bush wrote.
“This is the kind of rhetoric that endangers Black lives. He must apologize.”
“You should apologize to every law enforcement officer across the nation. I’m waiting,” Nehls said.
The DOJ’s probe mirrors a similar investigation by the FEC.
