Maryland State Sen. Dalya Attar (D) has been indicted on federal charges of extortion and conspiracy, marking a stunning development in a campaign season already fraught with political tension.
The indictment, filed on Oct. 23, alleges that the 35-year-old secretly filmed two of her political rivals in compromising situations and threatened to release the footage unless they refrained from criticizing her publicly.
The charges cover actions allegedly taken in the lead-up to the 2020 and 2022 elections.
According to court documents, Attar’s alleged targets included a political consultant and a married man, who were recorded in a private setting.
Prosecutors contend that Attar coordinated the scheme with her brother, Joseph Attar and a Baltimore City police officer, Kalman Finkelstein, along with four unnamed co-conspirators, the Daily Mail reports.
Surveillance devices, including cameras disguised as smoke detectors and a tracking device, were reportedly installed while the consultant was temporarily away from an apartment owned by Finkelstein’s family.
Messages cited in the indictment suggest that Attar and her co-conspirators sought to use the recordings to intimidate and silence her rivals.
In March 2021, Joseph Attar allegedly threatened one of the subjects, warning that the footage could be shared widely, including with members of the Jewish community.
Prosecutors say the scheme also sought to interfere with personal matters, such as disrupting the consultant’s daughter’s “shidduchim,” a traditional Orthodox Jewish matchmaking process.
The indictment also includes WhatsApp messages from Attar herself, highlighting her concern over potential campaign materials and opposition activity.
Dalya Attar has been a fixture in Maryland politics since 2019, when she was appointed to fill a vacant seat in the state Senate.
She made history as the first Orthodox Jewish woman to serve in the Maryland Senate, and she has been recognized as one of the highest-ranking Orthodox Jewish women in U.S. political history, according to FOX 5 Baltimore.
A member of the Democratic Party representing Baltimore City’s District 41, Attar is currently engaged in a highly competitive re-election campaign.
Her political career began with local community work, and she has been involved in various civic initiatives aimed at supporting education and small businesses within her district.
The alleged misconduct, if proven, could carry significant legal consequences and cast a shadow over Attar’s career.
Court filings indicate that the investigation and indictment stemmed from concerns about threats to the political consultant and potential misuse of sensitive recordings.
Authorities have confirmed that Attar, her brother and Finkelstein are all in federal custody pending further proceedings.
In response to the indictment, Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson’s office released a statement emphasizing the Senate’s commitment to ethical conduct among its members.
“The Senate of Maryland holds its members to the highest ethical standards as we serve our constituents, and we will continue to do so as we learn more about the alleged facts in the indictment,” the statement said.
The development has also prompted administrative action regarding Finkelstein, whose police duties were suspended following the indictment.
The case has drawn national attention due to its unusual combination of political intrigue, alleged criminal activity and the involvement of a historically notable state legislator.
As the investigation continues, the outcome could have lasting implications for Attar’s re-election prospects and her broader role in Maryland politics.
