A Maryland state senator faces serious accusations involving a disturbing blackmail scheme. Maryland State Sen. Dalya Attar, alongside her brother Joseph “Yossi” Attar and Baltimore Police Officer Kalman Finkelstein, is accused of recording two individuals without their knowledge to intimidate them into silence.
The federal indictment details the shocking behavior of the trio. They allegedly used disguised cameras and tracking devices to capture private moments of their victims, referred to as Victims 1 and 2, in an intimate setting. Victim 1, who had once worked on Attar’s campaign for office in 2018, changed allegiances and began supporting her opponents. Victim 2 was romantically involved with Victim 1 at the time, adding a layer of complexity to the accusations.
According to the court documents, the intentions behind this invasive act were clear. Attar and her associates reportedly aimed to use the obtained footage as leverage against the victims to prevent them from voicing their criticisms. In a WhatsApp message from 2021, Attar suggested a “simple way” to silence one of the victims, threatening the possibility of exposure while dismissing it as merely a warning. The chilling quote emphasized a calculated approach: “If you ahead and screw with me, we’re going to leak it.”
As the case unfolds, prosecutors indicate that the alleged blackmail scheme persisted until 2022. The conspirators communicated through encrypted messages, attempting to cover their tracks by deleting older communications. Federal charges could lead to substantial prison sentences if convicted.
While Attar has pledged to contest the charges, claiming she was unaware of any wrongdoing, her reputation hangs in the balance. “I ran for public office because of my strong belief in serving my community that I love,” she stated, denying any intent to harm the trust of her constituents. Her defense attorney, A. Jeff Ifrah, expressed hopes for a resolution before reaching trial.
The implications of this case could be severe. Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley confirmed that Finkelstein has been reassigned to administrative duties, stripped of his police powers since 2022 due to the investigation. Meanwhile, Senate President Bill Ferguson is seeking to understand the developments regarding Attar, underscoring the expectations of ethical behavior within the Maryland Senate.
Once considered a promising figure in the Maryland Orthodox Jewish community, Attar now faces a battle for her political future. As the legal process unfolds, the public will be watching closely, questioning the integrity of elected officials who should embody the values they profess to uphold. The outcome of this case will not only affect Attar but also resonate within the broader context of political accountability.
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