In a recent development, Rep. Cori Bush, a Missouri Democrat, is facing further scrutiny over her campaign spending on private security. New filings submitted to the Federal Election Commission reveal that Bush's campaign made seven additional payments of $2,500 each to her husband, Cortney Merritts, between October 1 and December 31, totaling $17,500.

These payments add to the steady flow of checks that Merritts has received from Bush's committee over the past two years. After their marriage in February 2023, it was revealed that they had been together prior to Bush entering office in 2021. Initially, Merritts collected money for security services, but in April 2023, the description changed to "wage expenses" as the campaign continued to face challenges.

Merritts has received a total of $120,000 from Bush's campaign coffers. While politicians are allowed to pay family members from their committees for legitimate services at fair market value, questions have been raised regarding Merritts' qualifications and the nature of his work.

Notably, Merritts did not possess a private security license as of late February 2023, and he was not listed in a Washington, D.C., database of licensed security specialists. The revelation of these facts triggered complaints from watchdog groups.

The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust filed a complaint to the FEC in March 2023, which is still pending. However, the ethics committee cleared Bush in a separate complaint from the Committee to Defeat the President.

Throughout the years, Fox News Digital reached out to Bush's campaign multiple times seeking clarification about the payments, but received no response. In fact, when confronted in October, Merritts appeared to backtrack on his role, initially denying any involvement in the campaign before acknowledging his continued employment.

In a statement, Bush confirmed that the Justice Department is currently investigating her campaign spending on security services and emphasized her full cooperation with the investigation. She explained that as a rank-and-file member of Congress, she is not entitled to personal protection by the House and has used campaign funds for security services due to threats to her physical safety and life.

The ongoing investigations by the Federal Election Commission, the House Committee on Ethics, and the Department of Justice indicate the seriousness of the matter. As these investigations unfold, the public awaits further clarification from Rep. Cori Bush and her campaign regarding the payments made to her husband for security services.

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