Judge dismisses extortion counts against Sen. Dalya Attar, co-defendants

A federal district judge Friday dismissed extortion charges against Sen. Dalya Attar and two co-defendants, saying alleged attempts to coerce a political opponent did not rise to the level of extortion, which requires an attempt to get "tangible, transferrable things."

By: Steve Crane

Outlets: Maryland Matters

Published: August 1, 2026

Words: 766

Last Updated: 1 day, 4 hours ago

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A federal district judge Friday dismissed extortion charges against Sen. Dalya Attar (D-Baltimore City) and two co-defendants, saying their alleged attempts to coerce a political opponent did not rise to the level of extortion, which requires an attempt to get “tangible, transferrable things.”

Friday’s ruling by Judge Stephanie Gallagher does not throw out all the charges against Attar, her brother, Joseph “Yossi” Attar, and Kalman Finkelstein, a Baltimore City Police officer and a political supporter …

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