ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, who represents Missouri first Congressional district, which is includes St. Louis City and part of northern St. Louis County like Ferguson and University City, is facing an investigation by the Department of Justice into whether she misuse money meant for personal security, including paying her husband who is a part of her security detail.
KMOX Legal Analyst Brad Young, a partner with Harris Dowell Fisher and Young, joined Total Information A.M. to discuss the investigation.
A big part of how this investigation was triggered according to Young would be if someone filed a complaint or notified the Department of Justice of potential laws being violated.
"What we saw on Monday this week was the DOJ file a subpoena to the House of Representatives to get the results of their investigation and review what the House Ethics Committee reviewed to determine if federal law was violated."
Young says a big part of the investigation will be determined by whether Bush's husband Cortney Merritts was paid by the campaign or as a federal staff member, the latter of which is illegal.
"Federal law prevents and prohibits federal officials from hiring or promoting a relative, including a spouse," said Young. "That federal law only applies to congressional staff, not campaign staff so as this investigation moves forward, the first question will be whether if (Merritts) was paid by the campaign or as a federal staff member."
"If, and I would suspect it be the case, Merrits is paid by the campaign staff, there will be more two questions: is he getting paid for work actually performed and is he being overpaid based on the work he is performing or based on his qualifications."
Young says he expects this investigation could likely take several months and he doesn't expect any movement in the investigation until the late Spring at the earliest.
Bush released a statement on Tuesday, along with speaking to Capitol Hill reporters, denying accusations that she used federal funds for personal use and blaming right-wing media for the cause of the investigation.
"In recent months, right-wing organizations have lodged baseless complaints against me, peddling notions that I have misused campaign funds to pay for personal security services. That is simply not true. I have complied with all applicable laws and House rules-and will continue to prioritize the rules that govern us as federal elected officials," Bush said in a statement.
The investigations come in a crucial time for Bush as she seeks to win re-election in November 2024. St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell is running against Bush for her Congress seat.
Bell released a statement regarding the investigation, wishing Bush to be transparent with the community regarding the investigation.
"I entered this race because I believe the people of this district deserve a representative they can trust who will show up and get results for them. I feel more strongly about that than ever." said Bell in a statement.