Newly surfaced emails and public filings are raising pointed questions in St. Louis about what happened to money raised after the May 16, 2025 tornado, and how it flowed through a network tied to Rep. Cori Bush. The records show appeals for a "tornado fund" linked to a group called Politivist Power, which reporters say does not appear in public tax databases. Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has said her office is reviewing the information as the Aug. 4 primary draws closer.
Reporting by KSDK details emails sent in late May and June 2025 by Politivist Action PAC, which asked supporters to donate to a tornado relief fund and named Politivist Power Inc. as the recipient. According to that reporting, the nonprofit does not show up in the IRS exempt-organization database. Hanaway called the situation "very concerning" and said her office is "looking into this." The station reviewed committee emails and filings that helped trigger the review.
What the filings show
Federal Election Commission records for Politivist Action PAC list itemized Schedule B disbursements from the committee's non-contribution account that show salary payments to Cori Bush and to Courtney Merritts in early 2025. The same filings include Schedule A receipts that identify Politivist Power Inc. as an in-kind provider. Those documents are available in the PAC's public FEC reports and were examined alongside the campaign's own material. On its website, the broader "Politivist" network describes Politivist Power as part of its community and advocacy work, presenting the entities as relief and organizing vehicles.
Officials and campaign response
Responding to the disclosures, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway described the information as "very concerning" and said her office is looking into it, according to KSDK. The same reporting notes that the Bush campaign declined to answer questions about how much money the tornado appeals brought in or how the funds were ultimately used. Local reporters say the filings and related public records are likely to serve as key source material for any inquiry.
Why this matters to St. Louis voters
The flap is unfolding only weeks before the Aug. 4, 2026 Democratic primary in Missouri's 1st District, where issues of disaster relief, transparency, and local accountability are already front and center. Local coverage has tracked how Politivist Action PAC positioned itself in post-tornado relief efforts and highlighted expectations from residents who donated, believing they were helping neighbors rebuild, as reported by the Missouri Independent.
Legal picture
Hybrid PACs that maintain non-contribution accounts are allowed to make non-federal expenditures, but the FEC requires detailed disclosure of disbursements and in-kind transfers. Those filings are typically where auditors and investigators start. Politivist Action PAC's official profile at the FEC confirms its hybrid status and displays its public reports. Any mismatch between reported receipts and the entities that allegedly provided them can prompt additional review by state or federal authorities.
Next steps
Hanaway's office has not laid out a timeline for possible formal action, so for now the matter joins a growing list of local election-year questions that voters are weighing ahead of August. Donors and residents who want to see the underlying paperwork can review the PAC's FEC filings and Politivist materials while reporters continue pressing the attorney general's office and the Bush campaign for more detailed answers.
