More than a year after the deadly May 2025 tornado tore through St. Louis, donors still have no clear answer on how much money was raised through Cori Bush’s tornado relief appeal or where those funds went.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has opened an investigation into whether donations intended for disaster victims were diverted to political activities or personally benefited Bush.

The inquiry follows reports that Politivist Power, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit established by Bush after the storm, lacks public IRS records showing tax-exempt status. Federal filings also indicate repeated financial transactions between Politivist Power and its affiliated political committee, Politivist Action PAC.

Bush’s team has not disclosed the total amount raised or how donations were spent. The attorney general’s office stated that it is examining whether funds solicited for relief efforts moved into political activities or directly benefited Bush, but no wrongdoing has been proven to date.

The investigation was prompted by reports of missing IRS records and financial connections between the nonprofit and PAC. Federal filings show Politivist Power contributed $6,300 in cash and approximately $24,927 in in-kind services to Politivist Action PAC during 2025, with the first payment predating the tornado.

Bush is currently running for Missouri’s 1st Congressional District against Representative Wesley Bell. The attorney general emphasized that it lacks independent evidence of misconduct and is gathering information through the investigation.

The public still has no clear accounting of how donations were used, despite donors being told their contributions would support immediate relief efforts after the storm. Until Politivist Power provides transparent records showing where funds went, St. Louis residents who suffered destruction and loss will continue to have unanswered questions about their recovery.