BALTIMORE, Md. — Sen. Dalya Attar, who represents a part of Baltimore City, was federally indicted, according to court documents unsealed today.
She, her brother, Joseph "Yossi" Attar, and Kalman Finkelstein, a Baltimore City police officer, are charged with conspiracy and extortion, among other things.
WATCH: State Senator indicted on federal charges of extortion and conspiracy
The indictment alleges that Dalya Attar (a Delegate during the time the indictment discusses), her brother, and Finkelstein secretly recorded two people engaged in an intimate affair, and used the recording to try to keep one of the victims quiet so as not to hurt Attar's election chances.
Dalya Attar, a former prosecutor, and the other defendants, according to court documents, talked about showing the video to members of the Jewish community to keep the victims quiet, threatening the marriage of one of the victims and the marriage prospects of the victims' children.
The conspiracy charge covers events that took place from January 2020 to July 2022.
We reached out to the Senate President's office, and they released this statement:
"This is the first we have been made aware of state Senator Dalya Attar’s arrest and we don't have any additional information to provide at this time. 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."
In a statement through her lawyer's office, Sen. Attar said she looks forward to sharing her side of the story.
“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. The case centers on the allegations of my former disgruntled employee. We have yet to see any tangible evidence to support the claim that I knew of any illegal actions taken on my behalf.
“I look forward to sharing my side of the story, and believe the truth will be the arbiter of justice. In the meantime, I will continue to serve my community with humility and honor, and look forward to being as transparent as possible.”
Baltimore Police released the following on the indictment and arrest of Finkelstein.
"The Baltimore Police Department is aware of the arrest of Officer Kalman Finkelstein by federal authorities. Finklestein’s police powers were suspended in 2022 in pursuant to Maryland State Law. He was previously assigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of the investigation. The Department is currently reviewing the indictment and the Maryland State Statute."
They updated that Finkelstein is suspended without pay.
