Baltimore’s Orthodox Jewish community just witnessed a political scandal so brazen, it reads like a spy thriller—covert cameras, secret threats, and a senator caught at the center of a federal blackmail indictment.
Story Snapshot
- Maryland State Senator Dalya Attar, her brother, and a Baltimore police officer indicted for blackmail and extortion
- Surveillance cameras captured a political consultant in a compromising situation to silence criticism
- Federal charges threaten the careers and reputations of several prominent figures
- Case exposes deep vulnerabilities in political ethics and law enforcement integrity
Surveillance Scheme Shatters Maryland Political Norms
Federal prosecutors unsealed indictments against Dalya Attar, her brother Joseph Attar, and Baltimore police officer Kalman Finkelstein on October 23, 2025, revealing an unprecedented plot to blackmail a former political ally. The trio allegedly installed hidden cameras in an apartment, capturing footage intended to silence a consultant who had once helped elect Attar but later threatened to expose her voting record. Attar, the first Orthodox Jewish woman in Maryland’s Senate, now faces charges that could end her career and reshape local politics.
Investigators traced the conspiracy to early 2020, when Joseph Attar and Finkelstein installed cameras disguised as smoke detectors and a tracking device on the consultant’s car. The consultant, staying in Finkelstein’s family-owned apartment, became the target after a falling out with Attar’s campaign. Evidence shows that threats escalated as the 2022 re-election campaign approached, with Attar directly involved in discussions about the footage’s political value and her brother making explicit threats to both the consultant and a married man captured in the video.
Political Fallout Reverberates Across Baltimore’s Orthodox Community
The scandal erupted within a closely knit religious community, where personal and political alliances are deeply intertwined. Attar’s position as a senator and respected Orthodox Jewish leader magnifies the impact, casting a shadow over the Maryland Senate and the Baltimore police force. Senate leadership quickly responded, emphasizing a commitment to ethical conduct, while Finkelstein was suspended without pay pending the investigation’s outcome. Community leaders and constituents now grapple with the embarrassment and division triggered by the revelations, as calls for transparency and reform grow louder.
Attar has denied wrongdoing and vowed to contest the charges, but the damage to her reputation and standing within both political and religious circles appears immediate and severe. The victims—once trusted insiders—face their own public scrutiny, adding another layer of complexity to a case defined by betrayal and the abuse of power.
Federal Investigation Raises Stakes for Political Accountability
All three defendants were released under supervision, their passports surrendered as federal prosecutors prepare for trial. Law enforcement and Senate officials maintain close cooperation with investigators, signaling the seriousness of the case. The timeline reveals a methodical effort to suppress dissent, with surveillance and threats timed to coincide with key political milestones, including Attar’s campaign filings and re-election bid. Legal experts predict significant penalties if convictions are secured, and political analysts highlight the rarity of such a scheme at the state level—especially one involving law enforcement.
The indictment sets a precedent for Maryland, where covert surveillance and blackmail have never before intersected so dramatically with elected office. Broader implications include potential legislative reforms on privacy and campaign ethics, as well as heightened scrutiny of police involvement in political disputes. The scandal may prompt reforms far beyond Baltimore, with ripple effects across the state’s political landscape and law enforcement practices.
