Pandemic Darlings The pandemic economy, in original documents
Home Court filings USA v. MERRITTS

Case docket

USA v. Merritts — U.S. District Court, District of Columbia

USA v. Merritts — U.S. District Court, District of Columbia — 91 documents in the archive, dated March 20, 2025 to January 27, 2026.

Case facts

CourtU.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Docket numberNo. 1:25-cr-00076 — main docket · CourtListener docket 278640
Filings91 public filings
Filed2025-03-20 – 2026-01-27
Original PDFs91 of 91

Case summary

Cortney Merritts was charged in an indictment returned March 20, 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, No. 1:25-cr-00076, with two counts of wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, together with a forfeiture allegation. The government's filings state the charges concern loan applications to the Small Business Administration under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and the Paycheck Protection Program; a defense filing puts the loss amount alleged in the indictment at approximately $20,832. Merritts pleaded not guilty to each count and denied the forfeiture allegation. The docket on this page runs to jury notes dated January 22 and 23, 2026; no verdict or judgment is on this page. The case is pending as of January 27, 2026; the charges are allegations.

Case at a glance

Defendant(s)Cortney Merritts
Court and docketU.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, No. 1:25-cr-00076-JMC
ProgramEconomic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
ChargesTwo counts of wire fraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1343, plus a forfeiture allegation (indictment of March 20, 2025)
Outcome and sentenceNo verdict or judgment on this page. Plea of not guilty to each count; the last filings are jury notes of January 22 and 23, 2026
Status checked2026-09-23 · against DOJ press releases through 2026-09-22; court docket not yet read

What does the government say the applications contained?

The government's motion in limine of October 31, 2025 states that in both applications the defendant overstated the revenue of his moving business, and that a PPP loan of $20,832, the maximum available to a sole proprietor with no employees, was approved and disbursed to his account on May 12, 2021.

What is the loss amount alleged?

Approximately $20,832, according to a defense filing of October 10, 2025 describing the indictment. The government describes a separate, earlier EIDL application on which the Treasury loaned $8,500 on July 7, 2020 plus a $6,000 advance, totalling $14,500, and states the defendant is not charged in connection with that first application.

What was the defense position on the indictment?

That the two wire fraud counts are impermissibly duplicitous and lack specificity under the Fifth and Sixth Amendments, because the indictment charges two counts but lists eleven separate wire transmissions in the charging language.

Docket

91 documents in docket-entry order; attachments follow their entry. Gaps name the entries we do not have.

No. 1:25-cr-00076

  1. Indictment as to Cortney Merritts (1) count(s) 1-2. (Notice of Forfeiture Allegation) — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 1, D.D.C.)Entry 1
  2. —Entry 2 is not in the archive
  3. Appearance of Counsel (Gregory P. Bailey) — United States of America v. Cortney Merritts, Case 1:25-cr-00076-JMC (Document 3)Entry 3
  4. Appearance of Counsel (AO 458) — Cortney Merritts, District of ColumbiaEntry 4
  5. —Entry 5 is not in the archive
  6. Summons in a Criminal caseEntry 6
  7. Order Setting Conditions of Release as to Cortney Merritts (1) Personal Recognizance — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 7, D.D.C.)Entry 7
  8. Unopposed Motion for Protective Order by USA as to Cortney Merritts — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 8, D.D.C.)Entry 8
  9. Text of Proposed Order — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 8-1, D.D.C.)Entry 8, attachment 1
  10. Order granting 8 Unopposed Motion for Protective Order as to Cortney Merritts (1) — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 9, D.D.C.)Entry 9
  11. —Entry 10 is not in the archive
  12. Pretrial Order as to Cortney Merritts: See document for details — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 11, D.D.C.)Entry 11
  13. Notice of Appearance — United States of America v. Cortney Merritts, Case No. 1:25-cr-00076-JMC (Document 12)Entry 12
  14. Motion to Dismiss Case Pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 12 by Cortney MerrittsEntry 13
  15. Motion to Dismiss Case for Selective Prosecution by Cortney Merritts — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 14, D.D.C.)Entry 14
  16. —Entry 15 is not in the archive
  17. Government's Opposition to Motion to Dismiss for Selective Prosecution — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 16
  18. Memorandum in Opposition by USA as to Cortney Merritts — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 17, D.D.C.)Entry 17
  19. Reply in Support by Cortney Merritts re 14 Motion to Dismiss Case for Selective ProsecutionEntry 18
  20. Reply in Support of Motion to Dismiss (Rule 12) — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 19
  21. Government's Notice of Intent to Introduce Rule 404(b) Evidence — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 20
  22. Defendant's Motion in Limine on Act-of-Production of Corporate Records — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 21
  23. Defendant's Motion in Limine to Prohibit Expert Testimony — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 22
  24. Government's Motion in Limine to Admit Certain Evidence — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 23
  25. Government's Motion in Limine to Exclude Evidence and Argument — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 24
  26. Notice of Appearance — United States of America v. Cortney Merritts, Case Number: 1:25-CR-76-JMC (Document 25)Entry 25
  27. Motion to Withdraw — United States of America v. Cortney Merritts, No. 1:25-CR-00076-JMC (Document 26)Entry 26
  28. Joint Motion to Continue Certain Pretrial Deadlines by USA as to Cortney Merritts — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 27, D.D.C.)Entry 27
  29. Consent Motion for Extension of Time to Submit Certain Pretrial Filings by Cortney MerrittsEntry 28
  30. Appearance of Counsel (Emily Miller) — United States of America v. Courtney Merritts, Case 1:25-cr-00076-JMC (Document 29)Entry 29
  31. Government's Opposition to Motion to Exclude Expert Testimony — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 30
  32. Exhibit A — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 30-1, D.D.C.)Entry 30, attachment 1
  33. Exhibit B — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 30-2, D.D.C.)Entry 30, attachment 2
  34. —Entry 31 is not in the archive
  35. Defendant's Response to Government's Omnibus Motion in Limine — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 32
  36. Defendant's Response to Motion in Limine to Admit Evidence — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 33
  37. Joint Pretrial Statement by USA as to Cortney Merritts — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 34, D.D.C.)Entry 34
  38. Exhibit Gov Voir Dire — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 34-1, D.D.C.)Entry 34, attachment 1
  39. Exhibit Def Voir Dire — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 34-2, D.D.C.)Entry 34, attachment 2
  40. Exhibit Jury Instructions — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 34-3, D.D.C.)Entry 34, attachment 3
  41. Exhibit Gov Exhibit List — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 34-4, D.D.C.)Entry 34, attachment 4
  42. Exhibit Def Exhibit List — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 34-5, D.D.C.)Entry 34, attachment 5
  43. Exhibit Verdict Form — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 34-6, D.D.C.)Entry 34, attachment 6
  44. Exhibit Gov Witness List — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 34-7, D.D.C.)Entry 34, attachment 7
  45. Exhibit Def Witness List — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 34-8, D.D.C.)Entry 34, attachment 8
  46. Government's Opposition to Motion on Act-of-Production of Corporate Records — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 35
  47. Exhibit A (Vetted subpoena) — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 35-1, D.D.C.)Entry 35, attachment 1
  48. Exhibit B (Defendant subpoena) — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 35-2, D.D.C.)Entry 35, attachment 2
  49. Exhibit C (Defendant cover letter) — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 35-3, D.D.C.)Entry 35, attachment 3
  50. Exhibit E (EIDL application 2020.04.03) — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 35-4, D.D.C.)Entry 35, attachment 4
  51. Exhibit F (EIDL application 2020.07.08) — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 35-5, D.D.C.)Entry 35, attachment 5
  52. Exhibit G (PPP application 2021.04.22) — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 35-6, D.D.C.)Entry 35, attachment 6
  53. Schedule C — Profit or Loss From Business (Form 1040, Sole Proprietorship) — Cortney Merritts — Case 1:25-cr-00076-JMC (Document 35-7)Entry 35, attachment 7
  54. Exhibit I (MO Sec of State) — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 35-8, D.D.C.)Entry 35, attachment 8
  55. Exhibit J (IL DES) — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 35-9, D.D.C.)Entry 35, attachment 9
  56. Exhibit K (Defendant-produced text) — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 35-10, D.D.C.)Entry 35, attachment 10
  57. Exhibit L1 (Defendant-produced text) — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 35-11, D.D.C.)Entry 35, attachment 11
  58. Exhibit L2 (Defendant-produced text) — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 35-12, D.D.C.)Entry 35, attachment 12
  59. Exhibit L3 (Defendant-produced text) — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 35-13, D.D.C.)Entry 35, attachment 13
  60. —Entry 36 is not in the archive
  61. Government's Motion to Disclose Tax Return Information — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 37
  62. Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order — USA v. MERRITTS (Dkt. 37.1)Entry 37, attachment 1
  63. Notice of Withdrawal of Appearance by USA as to Cortney Merritts — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 38, D.D.C.)Entry 38
  64. —Entry 39 is not in the archive
  65. Transcript of Pretrial Conference (Dec. 5, 2025) — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 40
  66. Defendant's Response on Scope of Cross-Examination — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 41
  67. NOTICE of related case by CORTNEY MERRITTS — USA v. MERRITTS (Dkt. 42)Entry 42
  68. Government's Response on Scope of Cross-Examination — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 43
  69. Defendant's Opposition to Motion to Disclose Tax Return Information — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 44
  70. Unopposed Motion to Continue Filing Deadline by USA as to Cortney Merritts — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 45, D.D.C.)Entry 45
  71. Transcript of Pretrial Conference Proceedings in the case — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 46, D.D.C.)Entry 46
  72. Motion to Permit Law Enforcement Agent to Be Present at Counsel Table During Trial — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 47, D.D.C.)Entry 47
  73. Motion to Reconsider — Selective Prosecution (Cori Bush) — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 48
  74. —Entry 49 is not in the archive
  75. Motion to Disqualify the U.S. Attorney's Office — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 50
  76. Government's Opposition to Reconsideration and Cross-Motion to Quash — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 51
  77. Exhibit B — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 51-1, D.D.C.)Entry 51, attachment 1
  78. —Entry 52 is not in the archive
  79. Government's Reply on Motion to Disclose Tax Return Information — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 53
  80. Reply in Support by Cortney Merritts re 48 Motion for Reconsideration — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 54, D.D.C.)Entry 54
  81. —Entry 55 is not in the archive
  82. Defendant's Motion to Continue Trial — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 56
  83. Memorandum in Opposition by USA as to Cortney Merritts — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 57, D.D.C.)Entry 57
  84. Exhibit — USA v. MERRITTS (Dkt. 57.1)Entry 57, attachment 1
  85. Exhibit — USA v. MERRITTS (Dkt. 57.2)Entry 57, attachment 2
  86. Exhibit — USA v. MERRITTS (Dkt. 57.3)Entry 57, attachment 3
  87. Exhibit — USA v. MERRITTS (Dkt. 57.4)Entry 57, attachment 4
  88. Exhibit — USA v. MERRITTS (Dkt. 57.5)Entry 57, attachment 5
  89. —Entry 58 is not in the archive
  90. Government's Opposition to Motion to Continue Trial — U.S. v. MerrittsEntry 59
  91. —Entry 60 is not in the archive
  92. Transcript of Proceedings in case as to Cortney Merritts — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 61, D.D.C.)Entry 61
  93. —Entries 62–63 are not in the archive
  94. Order Resolving Pretrial Motions — United States v. Cortney MerrittsEntry 64
  95. —Entry 65 is not in the archive
  96. Attorneys' Acknowledgment of Trial Exhibits as to Cortney Merritts — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 66, D.D.C.)Entry 66
  97. Government Exhibit List by USA as to Cortney Merritts — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 67, D.D.C.)Entry 67
  98. Defense Exhibit List by Cortney Merritts — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 68, D.D.C.)Entry 68
  99. Note from Jury — Cortney Merritts, Criminal No. 25-cr-76 (JMC), Document 69Entry 69
  100. —Entry 70 is not in the archive
  101. Jury Note (2) as to Cortney Merritts — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 71, D.D.C.)Entry 71
  102. —Entry 72 is not in the archive
  103. Jury Note (3) as to Cortney Merritts — USA v. Merritts (Dkt. 73, D.D.C.)Entry 73
  104. —Entry 74 is not in the archive
  105. Note from Jury — Cortney Merritts, Criminal No. 25-cr-76 (JMC), Document 75Entry 75
  106. —Entry 76 is not in the archive
  107. ENTERED IN ERROR.....NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF APPEARANCE by USA as to CORTNEY MERRITTS… — USA v. MERRITTS (Dkt. 77)Entry 77
  108. —Entry 78 is not in the archive
  109. Note from Jury — Cortney Merritts, Criminal No. 25-cr-76 (JMC), Document 79Entry 79

Documents without an entry number

  1. undatedFBI Form FD-302 — Interview of Cortney Merritts — U.S. v. Merritts

Other cases in the archive from U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Court, dates and docket numbers are as recorded on the filings.

Back to top