Cortney Merritts Indicted for Alleged COVID-19 Relief Fraud

The husband of former Rep. Cori Bush faces federal charges for allegedly defrauding SBA programs of over $20,000 through falsified loan applications.

Cortney Merritts, 46, has been indicted on two counts of wire fraud for allegedly submitting fraudulent loan applications to the Small Business Administration (SBA) in 2020 and 2021.
The indictment claims Merritts fabricated business details, including employee numbers and revenue, to secure over $20,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds.
Prosecutors allege Merritts used the loan proceeds for personal benefit and later submitted false loan forgiveness applications in 2022.
The case is being pursued by the Department of Justice, SBA Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI, reflecting broader efforts to address pandemic-related fraud.
Former Rep. Cori Bush is not implicated in the charges, though Merritts' connection to her has drawn public attention due to her controversial tenure and past campaign payments to him for unlicensed security services.