Maryland State Senator Faces Serious Charges for Allegedly Secretly Recording Critics in Intimate Situation

A state senator in Maryland has landed in serious legal trouble following accusations of conspiring to secretly record two individuals in a compromising situation. This allegation involves a former campaign consultant and comes from a recently unsealed federal indictment, shedding light on a complex case of intimidation and alleged extortion.

Maryland State Senator Dalya Attar, along with her brother Joseph ‘Yossi’ Attar and Baltimore Police Officer Kalman Finkelstein, is at the center of this escalating controversy. According to federal prosecutors, the three individuals are accused of orchestrating a plot to record the two victims during a hidden camera operation.

Charges Revealed in a Detailed Indictment

The 20-page indictment, made public on Thursday, outlines serious charges against Attar, her brother, and Finkelstein for conspiracy, extortion, illegal wiretapping, and violations of the Travel Act. The legal documents suggest that the group targeted the campaign consultant, identified as Victim 1, who had previously worked on Attar’s 2018 election campaign. After falling out with Attar, the consultant supported her political rivals.

Additionally, Victim 2, who was romantically linked to Victim 1 while being married to another person, faced the same threats of intimidation, further complicating the narrative.

Hidden Cameras and Recorded Footage

Allegedly, the defendants placed hidden cameras disguised as smoke detectors and installed a tracking device in the victims’ apartment. Surveillance footage reportedly captured the victims in bed together, a violation of their privacy that prosecutors emphasize was intended for coercive purposes.

Further accusations reveal that the recorded footage was utilized as a tool for intimidation. According to prosecutors, the trio threatened exposure of the footage if either victim chose to speak publicly against Attar or supported her political opponents.

Threats and Coercion Uncovered

In early 2021, Attar allegedly discussed strategies to suppress criticism. A WhatsApp message attributed to her included unsettling remarks about ensuring silence from the victims. She specified, “We have a very easy… simple way to get her to just shut up and leave us alone… She’s worried about her kids’ shidduchim.” The message insinuated a warning about potential consequences without directly stating plans to leak the video.

In December 2021, Joseph Attar purportedly confronted one of the victims at a shopping center in Baltimore, declaring, “I have hours of footage of you in bed with [Victim 1]. Go to [Victim 1] and say, leave Dalya alone… or I’ll share this video with everyone you know — every Rabbi in town, your kids, your wife, her daughters.” This direct threat illustrates the lengths to which the accused allegedly went to maintain control over the narrative.

Continuation of Threats During Re-election Campaign

The threatening behavior reportedly persisted into 2022, coinciding with Attar’s re-election campaign. The indictment alleges that the defendants worked collaboratively to ensure silence from both victims, utilizing encrypted WhatsApp messages to communicate and regularly delete correspondence to evade detection.

Potential Consequences and Public Reaction

If convicted, the charges could lead to significant prison time for all parties involved. The legal repercussions of this case could be severe, as prosecutors outline potential penalties totaling several decades behind bars. Despite repeated requests for commentary, Attar’s office did not respond to inquiries from various media outlets.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley addressed Finkelstein’s current status, noting that he has been on administrative duty since 2022 and is no longer entrusted with police powers.

Attar’s Political Background

Dalya Attar, a Democrat and former prosecutor in Baltimore, entered the Maryland House of Delegates in 2018. She was subsequently appointed to the state Senate in January 2025, a position that had positioned her as a prominent figure within Maryland’s Orthodox Jewish community. Her rise in the political landscape now faces a significant challenge amid these grave allegations.

Looking Ahead

As this case develops, it poses questions about privacy, ethical political conduct, and the measures some may take to maintain power. The implications of such intimidation tactics on freedom of speech and political discourse remain significant concerns. The actions attributed to Attar, her brother, and Finkelstein challenge the integrity of political systems and call for a closer examination of accountability among elected officials.