When trusted public officials weaponize secret surveillance and blackmail to silence critics, every American’s right to free speech and privacy faces a new and chilling threat.
Democrat Lawmaker’s Alleged Blackmail Plot Shakes Maryland Politics
Federal prosecutors have indicted Maryland State Senator Dalya Attar on eight counts, including extortion, conspiracy, illegal wiretapping, and violations of the Travel Act. Attar, a Democrat representing Baltimore’s District 41 and the Senate’s first Orthodox Jewish woman, is accused of orchestrating a covert plot with her brother and a Baltimore police officer. The trio’s alleged goal: silence Attar’s political critics by secretly recording them during an intimate encounter and threatening to release the footage if they continued to oppose her. The indictment, unsealed October 23, 2025, has sent shockwaves through Maryland’s political establishment and the Orthodox Jewish community.
The case traces back to a bitter split in 2018 between Attar and a former campaign consultant who later supported her rivals. Prosecutors allege that Attar and her co-defendants began surveilling the consultant and another critic—installing hidden cameras and tracking devices in their residence to obtain compromising material. In December 2021, her brother confronted one victim, allegedly threatening to publish the footage unless demands were met. These threats reportedly persisted into Attar’s 2022 re-election campaign, raising grave concerns about the abuse of political power to quash dissent and manipulate elections.
Covert Surveillance and Law Enforcement Complicity
One of the most disturbing aspects of the indictment is the involvement of Baltimore Police Officer Kalman Finkelstein, who has been on administrative duty since 2022. According to federal documents, Finkelstein allegedly assisted in the illegal surveillance operation, leveraging his law enforcement position to facilitate the scheme. The use of police resources and covert technology against private citizens—especially those exercising their First Amendment rights—has drawn national outrage and renewed calls for robust constitutional safeguards. The alleged conspiracy illustrates how unchecked government power and official corruption can erode the foundational liberties Americans hold dear.
Senate President Bill Ferguson issued a statement emphasizing ethical standards and the Senate’s ongoing review of the situation. Meanwhile, Attar’s office has remained silent, fueling frustration among citizens who demand transparency and accountability from their elected officials. The victims—once political allies—now face ongoing privacy violations and reputational harm, highlighting the personal toll such abuses can have on individual lives and families.
Community Fallout and Broader Implications
The scandal has deeply divided Maryland’s Orthodox Jewish community, where Attar was once a rising political figure. Reputational concerns and the threat of public exposure have intensified internal tensions, with community leaders urging both due process and vigilance against further abuses. The case has also rattled the state’s Democratic caucus, with potential ramifications for Senate operations and public trust in government. Legal experts warn that the charges—especially federal extortion and wiretapping—carry severe penalties and set a rare precedent for direct blackmail by a sitting lawmaker.
This case serves as a stark reminder that vigilance against government overreach remains essential. The abuse of surveillance technology and political power to silence critics is an affront to American values of liberty, family, and the rule of law. As legal proceedings move forward, voters and lawmakers alike must demand institutional reforms to restore trust, strengthen transparency, and defend the constitutional rights that protect every American from political intimidation.
Sources:
Baltimore City State Senator Dalya Attar arrested, indicted on federal extortion, conspiracy charge