A Maryland state senator has been indicted on federal extortion and conspiracy charges for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to secretly record two critics, including one individual captured “in bed” with a married man. State Sen. Dalya Attar, a Democrat, faces eight counts tied to the alleged operation, which involved planting tracking and recording devices to intimidate opponents.

The 35-year-old, who made history as the first Orthodox Jewish woman elected to the Maryland Senate, is accused of collaborating with four unnamed co-conspirators. Her brother, Joseph Attar, and a Baltimore police officer assisting her campaign also face eight charges each. Court documents reveal that the targets included a political consultant with whom Attar had previously clashed.

The indictment details how, in early 2020, defendants allegedly broke into an apartment belonging to the consultant’s romantic partner and installed cameras disguised as smoke detectors. A tracking device was also placed on the consultant’s vehicle. In March 2021, Attar’s brother reportedly threatened the consultant and a married man with releasing the recorded footage unless they “left Dalya alone.”

Prosecutors allege that Attar sought to extort the consultant, sending messages suggesting the individual “needs to be warned” before further damage to her campaign. A leaked message from Attar stated, “I think we have a very, very easy on our end, simple way to very likely get her to just shut up and leave us alone.”

Attar’s brother later met with the romantic partner, showing him the recording and urging him to pressure the consultant to abandon criticism. In June 2022, the brother allegedly sent WhatsApp messages threatening the consultant: “Leave my family alone and nothing will ever come out… Put me to the test. I dare you.”

In a statement, Attar denied knowledge of any illegal actions, asserting, “I would never do anything to knowingly jeopardize my constituents’ trust in me.” The case centers on allegations involving her former employee, though no evidence has been presented to confirm her involvement.

The 20-page indictment describes a multiyear effort to leverage the secret recordings, with prosecutors accusing Attar of orchestrating the surveillance to suppress dissent. The defendants remain in federal custody as the investigation unfolds.