Maryland State Senator Dalya Attar was indicted on October 23, 2025, on federal charges related to an alleged surveillance and extortion scheme. The indictment also names her brother, Joseph Attar, and a Baltimore City police officer, Kalman Finkelstein, as co-defendants. Federal prosecutors allege the multi-year operation targeted political critics of the Democratic lawmaker.
Story Highlights
- Maryland State Senator Dalya Attar, her brother Joseph Attar, and Baltimore City police officer Kalman Finkelstein were indicted
- The indictment was on eight federal charges, including extortion and conspiracy, stemming from an alleged surveillance and blackmail scheme.
- They were arrested on October 23, 2025; the alleged scheme began in 2020.
Federal Indictment Details Surveillance Operation
State Senator Dalya Attar, along with her brother and Officer Finkelstein, was arrested and charged with eight federal counts, including extortion and conspiracy. Federal prosecutors allege Attar directed a surveillance operation starting in 2020, involving the placement of tracking and recording devices on two political rivals: a former political consultant and a married man. The indictment claims Attar recorded the two individuals in an intimate setting and subsequently threatened to release the footage unless they ceased their criticism of her political activities.
Oh look, another Dem violating federal law by using unethical and criminal behavior. Another day, another Dem who thinks they are above the law:
Democratic state senator accused of secretly filming two critics in bed together to try to silence them https://t.co/4A4JHt1KlR…— Allen Huggins (@AllenHuggins8) October 31, 2025
Allegations of Abuse of Power
Prosecutors allege the scheme began after Attar’s relationship with the political consultant deteriorated following the 2018 election cycle. The indictment describes the actions as a method to silence opposition through intimidation and violations of privacy. Court documents also refer to four additional unnamed co-conspirators who allegedly assisted in the operation, indicating the alleged surveillance scheme may have involved more than the three individuals currently charged.
Law Enforcement Involvement
The involvement of Baltimore City police officer Kalman Finkelstein as a co-defendant raises questions regarding the use of law enforcement resources in the alleged scheme to target political opposition.
Use of Footage for Political Gain
Federal prosecutors have reportedly released transcripts of text messages detailing the alleged extortion, which suggest Attar planned to leverage the intimate footage to silence critics during her 2022 re-election campaign. Attar was appointed to the Senate in January 2025, months before her indictment.
Official Statements and Context
While State Senator Attar publicly denies the federal charges, the detailed indictment and supporting evidence have prompted scrutiny of oversight and accountability within the state’s political leadership. The case remains ongoing, with the federal charges focusing on the alleged abuse of surveillance technology and attempts to intimidate political opponents.
Watch the report: Democratic lawmaker secretly filmed two critics in bed together to try to silence them
Sources:
Baltimore City State Senator Dalya Attar arrested, indicted on federal extortion, conspiracy charges
Baltimore City State Senator Dalya Attar arrested, indicted on federal extortion, conspiracy charges
Democratic lawmaker secretly filmed two critics in bed together to try and silence them
