Maryland State Sen. Dalya Attar (D), the first Orthodox Jewish woman in her chamber, has been hit with federal extortion and conspiracy charges.
The 35-year-old lawmaker was arrested last week after a grand jury handed down eight counts on Oct. 23.
Prosecutors say Attar allegedly planted hidden cameras and trackers on two rivals, secretly recording them in intimate situations.
Authorities claim she threatened to expose the recordings unless the targets stayed away from her politically.
The indictment says Attar targeted a political consultant and a married man, placing cameras disguised as smoke detectors and a tracker on a car.
Feds allege she used the footage like a political weapon, warning the victims to “leave Dalya alone” or face public embarrassment.
The threats reportedly included sharing the recordings with “every Rabbi in town” to maximize damage.
Court documents indicate Attar feared the consultant would undermine her political standing and voting record in the Jewish community.
Instead, prosecutors say she tried to get ahead of the situation by blackmailing them first, per Trending Politics.
Two alleged co-conspirators, Joseph Attar and Baltimore police officer Kalman Finkelstein, were also charged. Four additional unnamed individuals are linked to the scheme.
The scheme allegedly intensified in late 2021 as Attar prepared for reelection. Her brother reportedly contacted the married man, warning he had “hours” of bedroom footage at his disposal.
Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson’s office said this is the first they’ve heard of the arrest and added, “The Senate of Maryland holds its members to the highest ethical standards.”
Attar insists she is innocent and claims the allegations stem from a disgruntled former staffer.
“I ran for public office because of my strong belief in serving my community that I love, and I would never do anything to knowingly jeopardize my constituents’ trust in me,” she said.
Attar also stated, “We have yet to see any tangible evidence to support the claim that I knew of any illegal actions taken on my behalf.”
She promised transparency and said she will continue serving her community with “humility and honor.”
The shocking charges have sent ripples through Maryland politics and raised questions about corruption and ethics among high-ranking Democrats.
Critics argue the case highlights a culture of entitlement and lawlessness in the Democratic Party.
Supporters of accountability say this could be a turning point in exposing unethical political behavior.
Observers note the scandal comes as Democrats frequently attack President Trump and his allies on corruption, even as some in their own ranks face serious criminal allegations.
The story is still developing, with federal investigations ongoing and more details expected to emerge in the coming weeks.
