Cortney Merritts, the husband of former Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), has been indicted in federal court on charges of wire fraud after authorities say he submitted false applications for COVID-19 relief loans. Merritts allegedly obtained $20,000 in funds by misrepresenting information tied to businesses that either did not exist or operated under questionable claims.
Federal prosecutors allege Merritts made his first fraudulent application in April 2020, naming a business called Vetted Courier and Logistics. He claimed the business had six employees and reported revenue of $32,000 before the pandemic began. That application was approved and paid out.
🚨 #BREAKING: The husband of ousted Rep. Cori Bush, a member of AOC’s squad, was just charged by DOJ with WIRE FRAUD for fraudulently taking $20K in COVID relief
THANK YOU DOGE and DOJ for going after these crooks!
Bush ALSO paid her husband $5K PER MONTH in regulated funds for… pic.twitter.com/UNdkLo7CCh
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 20, 2025
Just one day later, Merritts submitted another loan application using his own name, claiming a different sole proprietorship that supposedly employed 10 people and had higher earnings. Authorities say that submission was flagged due to its similarities with the prior request and was rejected.
JUST IN: Former Rep. Cori Bush’s husband indicted for wire fraud, accused of submitting false applications to receive COVID relief funds.
Shocker!
The development comes following a separate investigation where Bush is accused of paying her husband $150,000 to serve as her… pic.twitter.com/LUnux6LVtI
— Real Life Footage (@RealLifeFootage) March 21, 2025
Merritts also attempted to access PPP funds for a business he said launched in 2020 with $128,000 in revenue. That, too, is being challenged as fraudulent. Prosecutors allege the entire scheme was designed for personal financial gain, rather than legitimate business support.
The Justice Department confirmed the case is being handled by federal agents from the FBI and the SBA Inspector General’s office. Merritts has been charged with two counts of wire fraud.
His attorney, Justin Gelfand, says he intends to fight the charges and that Merritts will enter a not guilty plea. Gelfand said the allegations represent only one side of the story and look forward to trial.
Although Bush is not part of the indictment, questions around her use of campaign funds to pay Merritts for security work previously led to investigations by multiple federal bodies. Merritts reportedly lacked the licenses required to operate in either Missouri or the District of Columbia.
Bush, a former member of the progressive “Squad,” was ousted in the 2024 Democratic primary after a strong push by pro-Israel groups opposed to her vocal criticism of Israel’s actions following the Oct. 7 attacks.
