Attar Filmed Opponent Having Sex For Blackmail
SENATOR DALYA ATTAR
By SyndicatedNews | SNN.BZ
BALTIMORE, MD — In a scandal that has sent shockwaves through Maryland’s political landscape, state Senator Dalya Attar (D-Baltimore), her brother, and a Baltimore City Police officer have been federally indicted for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated blackmail plot against a former political consultant.
The senator said in a statement that the case centers on “the allegations of my former disgruntled employee,” and she noted that “we have yet to see any tangible evidence to support the claim that I knew of any illegal actions taken on my behalf.”
The scheme, detailed in a 20-page indictment unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, involved secretly filming the consultant in bed with a married man and using the compromising footage to silence criticism ahead of Attar’s 2022 reelection campaign.
Prosecutors describe the operation as a “cloak-and-dagger” conspiracy, complete with GPS trackers, hidden cameras disguised as smoke detectors, and threats to derail the victim’s personal life. Attar, 35, who made history as the first Orthodox Jewish woman to serve in the Maryland State Senate earlier this year, faces eight federal charges, including extortion, conspiracy, and wiretapping. If convicted, she could face decades in prison.
The Alleged Plot Unfolds
The indictment paints a vivid picture of paranoia and retribution stemming from a professional fallout. In 2018, Attar, then a candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates, enlisted the help of an unnamed female political consultant—a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen—who played a key role in her successful campaign.
However, the partnership soured shortly after the election due to an undisclosed disagreement. By January 2020, as Attar geared up for future runs, she grew convinced the consultant was plotting against her, fearing the release of flyers criticizing her voting record—particularly on issues like police funding—to Baltimore’s tight-knit Orthodox Jewish community.
“We’re nearing my election. We can’t wait until she does it already. Things as simple as anti-police things,” Attar allegedly wrote in a WhatsApp message to her brother, Joseph Attar, a real estate developer. She expressed fears that the consultant was “looking to screw me badly” and plotted to neutralize the threat. “Blackmail could be the perfect way to scare her,” Attar reportedly added, specifically targeting the consultant’s family by threatening to sabotage her daughter’s “shidduchim”—the traditional Orthodox Jewish marriage matchmaking process.
To gather leverage, the conspirators allegedly turned to high-tech surveillance. In January 2020, the consultant stayed in an apartment owned by the Finkelstein family (no relation to the accused officer). Attar’s brother and Kalman Finkelstein, a Baltimore police officer and campaign volunteer, are accused of breaking into the unit while the consultant was away. Using a secure messaging app, they coordinated the installation of tiny video cameras hidden inside smoke alarms in the bedroom and living room.
The cameras captured explicit footage of the consultant engaged in sexual activity with a married man, identified in court documents as “Victim 2.” Prosecutors allege the group monitored the consultant’s movements via a GPS tracker placed on her vehicle without her knowledge, ensuring they had eyes on her at all times.
Threats and Extortion
By early 2022, as Attar’s reelection bid heated up, the blackmail allegedly escalated. Joseph Attar met the married man at the Greenspring Shopping Center in Pikesville, where he reportedly showed him the incriminating video and issued a stark ultimatum: Stay silent about Attar, or the footage goes public. The next day, similar threats were extended to the consultant herself, with warnings that the video’s release would not only ruin her reputation but also interfere with her daughter’s marriage prospects in their religious community.
The indictment quotes Attar as saying she wanted the consultant to become “a nonissue in my mind,” emphasizing the scheme’s goal: to prevent any “act or speech that could negatively impact the election campaign or political aspirations of Dalya Attar.” The plot allegedly continued into the 2022 cycle and even influenced preparations for her 2024 Senate run.
Finkelstein, described in court filings as a “political operator with relationships across the spectrum,” provided logistical support, including access to police resources for surveillance. Four other unnamed co-conspirators are also implicated, though not charged.
Attar’s Response and Political Fallout
Attar, who represents District 41 in Baltimore City, issued a statement denying knowledge of the scheme. “I ran for public office because of my strong belief in serving my community that I love, and I would never do anything to knowingly jeopardize my constituents’ trust in me,” she said. “This case centers on the allegations of my former disgruntled employee. I look forward to sharing my side of the story, and believe the truth will be the arbiter of justice. In the meantime, I will continue to serve my community with humility and honor.”
Her colleagues in Annapolis have remained largely silent, with reactions described as “muted if nonexistent.” The scandal adds to a string of recent embarrassments in Maryland politics, including bribery convictions and ethics probes. Attar, a rising star known for her work on education and small business initiatives, was reelected to the Senate in 2024 amid a competitive race. Her office has not commented on whether she will resign or step down from committees.
Joseph Attar and Finkelstein were arrested alongside the senator and remain in federal custody pending arraignment. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland hailed the indictment as a victory for accountability. “No one is above the law, especially not elected officials sworn to uphold it,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner.
The case, filed on October 23 but unsealed yesterday, is being handled by the FBI’s Baltimore field office. Trial is expected in early 2026, with potential appeals to ripple through Attar’s political future.
This story is developing, and SyndicatedNews.NET will provide updates as new details emerge.
