Former ‘Squad’ member Cori Bush’s political troubles deepen as her husband gets caught in a web of pandemic fraud allegations. Federal prosecutors have brought serious charges against Cortney Merritts for allegedly swindling COVID relief programs out of thousands in taxpayer dollars meant for struggling Americans. Are you surprised?
At a glance:
• Cortney Merritts, husband of former Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush, has been indicted on two counts of wire fraud for allegedly defrauding COVID relief programs
• Merritts allegedly lied about operating a business with 10 employees and falsely claimed $53,000 in revenue to obtain government loans
• He received and had forgiven a $20,832 loan from pandemic relief programs after submitting fraudulent applications
• The FBI and Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General are investigating Merritts’ alleged fraud
• This indictment follows previous controversy over Bush hiring Merritts as a security guard and paying him with campaign funds
COVID Relief Fraud Charges Hit Close to Democrat’s Home
Federal prosecutors have dropped a bombshell on former Democratic “Squad” member Cori Bush’s household with serious fraud charges against her husband. Cortney Merritts faces two counts of wire fraud for allegedly filing false applications with the Small Business Administration to obtain pandemic relief funds in 2020 and 2021. And we’re just meant to believe Bush knew nothing about it…
The indictment claims Merritts orchestrated an elaborate scheme to defraud taxpayers by falsely claiming to operate a business with 10 employees and generating $53,000 in revenue. Investigators allege he lied and forged documents to receive larger loans from COVID-19 relief programs intended for struggling Americans during the pandemic.
Husband of former 'Squad' Rep. Cori Bush charged with wire fraud linked to COVID relief funds: DOJ https://t.co/oYSUlfmS4K
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 21, 2025
Thousands in Taxpayer Money Allegedly Misappropriated
According to prosecutors, Merritts successfully obtained a $20,832 loan that was later forgiven by the government along with $254.03 in interest. He allegedly claimed a business with $128,000 in revenue to receive a Paycheck Protection Program loan and then falsely stated the money was spent on payroll to secure loan forgiveness.
Records show Merritts also received an $8,500 Economic Injury Disaster Loan for his moving business, Vetted Couriers, claiming it had six employees and $32,000 in gross revenue. The joint investigation by the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General and the FBI is part of broader efforts to recover billions lost to pandemic program fraud.
“Billions of taxpayer dollars were stolen—funneled into fraudulent claims while hardworking families struggled,” said Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C. “This bill ensures justice does not expire with the calendar. The thieves who exploited these programs must face the full weight of the law, and we must recover what was stolen.”
Former 'Squad' Rep. Cori Bush's husband charged with wire fraud related to COVID relief funds https://t.co/JrzlYnIWpQ
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) March 21, 2025
Latest in String of Controversies for Former Squad Member
Merritts’ lawyer, Justin Gelfand, announced his client’s intention to fight the charges, stating, “Mr. Merritts intends to plead not guilty to the charges. As with any indictment, this is only the government’s version of the story. We look forward to litigating this case in federal court in Washington, D.C.”
This indictment comes after Bush has already faced scrutiny over campaign payments to Merritts for security services without a required license. The House Oversight Committee has estimated that between 11% and 15% of pandemic benefits paid were fraudulent, amounting to over $100 million lost to fraud during the pandemic.
While Bush herself is not implicated in the indictment, this latest scandal adds to her political troubles after losing her primary amid controversy over her criticism of Israel’s response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. The Justice Department had previously launched an investigation into Bush over campaign payments to Merritts, though a complaint against her was dismissed by the Office of Congressional Ethics.
