The Missouri Attorney General is demanding answers from Politivist Power, an organization founded by former Congresswoman Cori Bush.
Politivist was formed as a 501(c)(4), a tax-exempt social welfare organization that, unlike 501(c)(3) nonprofits, can engage in significant political lobbying and campaigning. During Bush’s unsuccessful challenge to Congressman Wesley Bell this summer, KSDK’s Mark Maxwell reported that Politivist Power had solicited funds for tornado victims, yet wouldn’t explain whether any of the money went to victims of the May 16 tornado in St. Louis. Maxwell also reported that there were no records showing Politivist had been granted tax-exempt status, a process that can take many months.
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Following that report, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said on social media she was looking into the matter. Her office is tasked with regulating nonprofits.
A court filing made by Hanaway’s office today indicates that her social media post wasn’t just bluster.
According to today’s court filing, a Petition For Order To Enforce Civil Investigative Demand, Hanway’s office states that last month they sent Politivist an investigative demand asking for documents and written answers to requests for information.
Hanaway gave Politivist Power a little over three weeks to produce those materials. But, she says, they never did.
The information requested included documents relating to the drafting and sending of emails in May 2025 and June 2025 emails (likely the one that referenced the tornado), records regarding employee pay, information on Bush’s speaking fees, and banking records such as wire transfers, bank drafts, money orders, and cashier’s checks.
The AG’s office subsequently sent a demand letter on August 17, 2026, demanding that the organization either comply with the investigative demand or contact Hanaway’s office.
Neither of those happened.
Hanaway’s office is now asking a judge in St. Louis Circuit Court to order Bush’s organization to produce the material within the next week. And if that doesn’t happen, the AG’s office is asking the organization to face court sanctions.
A spokesperson for Bush did not immediately respond to requests for comment, nor did Hanaway’s office.
