By MDBayNews Staff | November 25, 2025
Maryland State Sen. Dalya Attar (D–Baltimore City) pleaded not guilty Monday to federal extortion charges stemming from what prosecutors describe as a hidden-camera blackmail scheme aimed at silencing a former campaign consultant ahead of Attar’s 2022 reelection.
Attar, her brother Joseph Attar, and Baltimore Police Officer Kalman Finkelstein all entered not-guilty pleas during an arraignment in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.
What Prosecutors Say Happened
According to a federal indictment unsealed October 30, the three allegedly conspired to install covert recording devices disguised as smoke detectors in an apartment where the consultant was temporarily staying in late 2021. The indictment claims the cameras recorded the consultant in an extramarital affair, and that the footage was later used to threaten both her and her partner.
Prosecutors say a GPS tracker was also placed on the consultant’s car to monitor her movements.
In one message included in the indictment, Joseph Attar allegedly told the man involved:
“You have nothing to worry about if you accept my offer.”
Prosecutors argue the message implied the video would be sent to family members, rabbis, and the broader Orthodox community if the consultant continued criticizing Attar publicly.
Who Is Dalya Attar?
Attar, 35, represents District 41, an area that includes one of the largest Orthodox Jewish communities in Baltimore. She made history in 2018 as the first Orthodox Jewish woman elected to the Maryland General Assembly and won a second term in 2022. She was appointed to the Maryland Senate in January 2025 following the retirement of Sen. Jill Carter.
Before entering politics, Attar worked as a public defender and later in real estate with her brother.
Defense Pushes Back
Attar’s attorney, A. Jeff Ifrah, said the government has “no direct evidence” connecting Attar to the installation of the surveillance equipment and confirmed plans to file a motion to dismiss the case by December 15.
Attar has maintained her innocence, writing in a public statement:
“I look forward to sharing my side of the story, and believe the truth will be the arbiter of justice.”
She has not resigned her Senate seat.
Charges and Possible Penalties
All three defendants face several federal counts, including:
- Conspiracy to commit extortion
- Attempted extortion
- Wire fraud
Under federal law, extortion charges alone carry up to 20 years in prison.
What Happens Next
No trial date has been scheduled. Pretrial motions will continue through December, and additional witness subpoenas are expected.
MDBayNews will continue tracking developments as the case moves forward.
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