A fresh wave of legal challenges facing Tim Mynett, the husband of US Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN), has brought renewed scrutiny to the couple. This attention focuses not only on business ethics but also on the apparent contradictions between Mynett’s commercial interests and the religious identity central to Omar’s public persona.
Mynett, a political consultant turned venture capitalist, is currently the subject of a lawsuit alleging fraud and breach of contract in connection with "eStCru," a California-based wine business in which he is a partner.
The lawsuit, filed in Washington, DC, claims that Mynett and his business partner, Will Hailer, defrauded investor Naeem Mohd. According to court documents, Mohd alleges he was persuaded to invest $300,000 based on a guarantee of a 200% return within 18 months, but the plaintiff's promises were never fulfilled.
Although the principal investment was reportedly repaid after a delay, the lawsuit alleges that the promised profits were never paid. It accuses the partners of misrepresenting the company’s financial health. Mynett has denied the allegations, characterizing the matter as a contract dispute.
The wine business and Islamic law
Beyond the financial dispute, the wine business's existence has raised eyebrows among observers of Omar’s career.
A spokesperson for the congresswoman stated that Omar and Mynett married "Islamically and legally" in 2020. Traditional Sunni Islam, to which Omar belongs, religiously forbids a Muslim woman from marrying a non-Muslim man. The statement implied that Mynett had either converted to Islam or that the couple had undertaken a religious ceremony satisfying Sharia requirements.
However, the production, sale, and consumption of alcohol are strictly prohibited by Islamic law (haram). Mynett’s active role at a winery and the specific pursuit of profit from alcohol sales present a theological conflict with the faith Omar frequently cites as a guiding moral compass in her legislative work.
The congresswoman has not publicly addressed this discrepancy. Her office has maintained a strict separation between her legislative duties and her husband’s private ventures, stating she has no involvement in his business dealings.
This is not the first time Mynett’s finances have intersected with Omar’s political life. During her 2020 re-election campaign, Mynett’s consulting firm, the E Street Group, received nearly $3 million from Omar’s campaign funds. While the Federal Election Commission (FEC) found no legal wrongdoing, the arrangement drew sharp bipartisan criticism and accusations of ethical impropriety.
Mynett is also facing legal pressure on other fronts. His venture capital firm, eSt Ventures, was recently sued by South Dakota cannabis companies for failing to fulfill fundraising commitments. Reports indicate the firm admitted to owing investors over $1 million.
For Omar, a leading figure in the progressive "Squad" known for moral absolutism on issues of justice, the silence regarding her husband’s involvement in the alcohol industry and the allegations of defrauding investors stands out as a notable divergence from her usual vocal stance on accountability.
Reuters contributed to this report.