Firm News

Aug 3, 2026

Federal Judge Dismisses Six Extortion-Related Charges in Case Against Maryland State Senator Dalya Attar

In a significant legal victory, a federal judge dismissed six of the eight charges brought against Ifrah Law client and Maryland State Senator Dalya Attar.

U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher of the District of Maryland granted a motion to dismiss filed on behalf of Sen. Attar and her co-defendants, tossing two counts of extortion via interstate communications and four counts alleging violations of the Travel Act. Judge Gallagher’s ruling found that the conduct alleged in the indictment did not meet the legal definition of extortion under the statutes cited by prosecutors, because the “thing of value” at issue was not a tangible, transferable economic benefit.

On behalf of Sen. Attar, Ifrah Law’s defense team argued that the case centered not on an attempt to obtain money or property, but on Sen. Attar’s efforts to end an ongoing pattern of harassment directed at her and her family — conduct that, even if troubling, does not rise to the level of criminal extortion.

Sen. Attar was represented in the matter by partners Jeff Ifrah, partner Jim Trusty, and associate Abbey Block. Commenting on the ruling, Trusty noted the defense felt its motion to dismiss the extortion-based charges was grounded in strong legal footing, and that the ruling reflected the court’s careful consideration of the issues.

“The motion to dismiss was based on a nuanced area of law relating to extortion offenses. We felt strongly that our motion to dismiss the six extortion-based charges in the indictment was on solid legal ground and we were heartened by Judge Gallagher’s obvious grasp of the issues as well as her ruling.”