The federal court in D.C. charged the husband of former Democratic Missouri Rep. Cori Bush on Thursday with fraudulently obtaining over $20,000 from the Paycheck Protection and Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs during the pandemic.
Cortney Merritts, 46, faces federal charges and is indicted on two counts of wire fraud for allegedly exploiting Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the indictment. Merritts allegedly secured over $20,000 through fraudulent applications submitted in 2020 and 2021 under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
U.S. Attorney Edward Martin Jr., along with key federal agents, said Merritts manipulated SBA provisions designed to aid struggling businesses. On July 7, 2020, Merritts allegedly claimed an $8,500 EIDL loan for Vetted Couriers, a business that allegedly had six employees and $32,000 in annual gross revenue. A day later, Merritts applied for another EIDL loan, this time as a sole proprietor, inflating his employee count to 10 and reporting $53,000 in revenue. The SBA denied additional funds upon finding his applications nearly identical.
The fraudulent schemes escalated when, on April 22, 2021, Merritts secured a $20,832 PPP loan by allegedly and falsely declaring a new business with a gross income of $128,000. He later filed for loan forgiveness, claiming he used the funds for payroll expenses, despite the funds being used for personal purposes. The SBA eventually forgave the PPP loan, including interest, based on his deceptive assertions.
In light of Bush’s husband’s recent legal challenges, it was reported that she continued making payments to him despite the ongoing federal investigation. Federal Election Commission data shows that between April 12 and June 30, Bush paid her husband $15,000 in wages amidst scrutiny over past campaign expenditures on security services, including payments to Merritts, as reported by the New York Times.
Bush’s congressional career faltered, partly because pro-Israel groups, such as the Jewish Democratic Council of America and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, heavily funded her primary opponents. Bush’s tenure was plagued by fabrications, accusations of misconduct, and bizarre incidents that also likely played a role in her political decline.
Bush’s tenure was also plagued by controversial proposals, such as her call for $14 trillion in reparations in 2023 and her suggestion to defund the Pentagon, which likely contributed to her political challenges.
Bush did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s requests for comment.
(Featured Image Media Credit: Screenshot/YouTube/Congresswoman Cori Bush)
All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- Gallego makes bold claim about Trump’s intentions toward Venezuela - December 17, 2025
- Scott Jennings clarifies where Wiles stands with Trump after Vanity Fair backlash - December 17, 2025
- Trump orders major escalation against Venezuela - December 17, 2025
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!
