Az Republican Candidate Finchem Boasts of Accessing Secret FinCen Data

Mark Finchem, a former Republican lawmaker and candidate for the Arizona Senate, has claimed access to a confidential federal law enforcement database, revealing surprising connections to a Tennessee police department under criminal investigation. Finchem, who represented a Southern Arizona district from 2015 to 2022, has publicized an investigation conducted by his nonprofit, which explores allegations surrounding the Millersville Police Department.

This month, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) executed a raid on the department, acting on concerns regarding Assistant Police Chief Shawn Taylor. Taylor has collaborated with Finchem’s organization, which has ties to conspiracy theorists who have peddled discredited claims. Local district attorneys confirmed that the TBI is investigating allegations that Taylor misused sensitive law enforcement data against political adversaries.

There are additional complexities in the case, including accusations of perjury against a Millersville detective related to a failed child predator sting. As the situation unfolds, developments continue to highlight the intertwined nature of politics and law enforcement in this scenario.

Finchem has asserted that Taylor provided him access to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) database, which tracks financial transactions to aid law enforcement in preventing crime. His claims include having gained “legitimate access through law enforcement channels,” though he noted that this access was revoked after what he described as resistance. He posits that his organization aimed to utilize the financial data to investigate alleged election fraud, a recurring theme in his campaign and public persona.

However, it is crucial to note that disclosing FinCEN data publicly is a federal crime. The U.S. Treasury Department has not commented on Finchem’s assertions, and he has not responded to multiple inquiries regarding the matter. According to FinCEN regulations, unauthorized disclosure can jeopardize national security and put individuals filing reports at risk.

Historically, legal actions have followed unauthorized disclosures of FinCEN data. For instance, former Treasury official Natalie Edwards served prison time for leaking financial information regarding suspicious transactions tied to Donald Trump and his campaign chair, Paul Manafort.

Taylor is also vocal about leveraging FinCEN data to further investigate conspiracy theories. Meanwhile, Finchem, who lost a bid for state secretary in 2022, recently secured the Republican primary for a Senate seat in Arizona’s Legislative District 1, solidifying his return to the state legislature in January.

Finchem has cultivated a reputation built on allegations of election fraud and conspiratorial narratives. His controversial associations include extremist groups like the Oath Keepers. In a September 11 interview, he engaged with an anti-Semitic conspiracy theorist, referencing the ongoing “investigation” while alluding to harmful conspiracy theories, including QAnon.

While speaking during the interview, Finchem made various unfounded allegations, even going as far as to implicate judges and journalists in child sex trafficking. His narrative includes bizarre claims, such as an incident where he alleged that a TBI agent had urinated in Taylor’s bathtub, a statement for which he claims to possess DNA evidence.

Finchem’s trajectory reflects a broader trend where fringe conspiracies shape political narratives, as he frequently engages with proponents of QAnon and other conspiracy theories, underscoring an increasingly complex intersection of politics and misinformation.