Democratic Maryland state senator indicted on federal extortion charges

A Democratic Maryland state senator was indicted on federal extortion and conspiracy charges, according to court filings made public on Thursday.

The indictment of Maryland state Sen. Dalya Attar of Baltimore was filed under seal in federal court last week, but a motion making the charging documents public was posted on the court docket Thursday, The Washington Post reported.

Attar is the first Orthodox Jewish woman to be a Maryland state senator, and assumed the seat in January after it was vacated. She is currently in a close race with Democratic Maryland state Del. Malcolm P. Ruff, a civil rights attorney, to hold the seat for a full term.

The state senator was charged with eight crimes, including multiple counts of conspiracy, extortion via interstate communications, aiding and abetting, and interception and disclosure of a wire, according to the court docket.

Joseph Attar, who is a real estate developer in Baltimore and appears to be her brother, was charged alongside her. Another co-defendant in the case is Kalman G. Finkelstein, according to court records.

Attar's spokesperson did not immediately respond to the Post's request for comment.