FL congresswoman stole $5 million in FEMA funds, aided campaign: Indictment

Florida congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has been indicted for allegedly misusing $5 million in FEMA funds. — Image credit: Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Summary

Indictment

A federal grand jury has indicted Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for allegedly stealing FEMA funds and using a "substantial portion" to finance her 2021 congressional campaign.

Potential legal consequences

If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison, and her brother could serve up to 35 years.

Attorneys' response

Cherfilus-McCormick’s attorneys stated she is a "committed public servant, who is dedicated to her constituents," adding that they will "fight to clear her good name."

Full story

A federal grand jury has indicted Florida Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for allegedly stealing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds. Federal prosecutors claim that a “substantial portion” of it financed Cherfilus-McCormick’s 2021 congressional campaign.

A Department of Justice news release states that Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin, received an overpayment of $5 million in FEMA funds in July 2021. Their family’s health care company, Trinity Health Care Services, received the overpayments through a federally funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract.

According to prosecutors, that money was then funneled to support her campaign through candidate contributions. The DOJ claims the funds were routed through multiple accounts to “disguise” the source.

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Others indicted by grand jury

Cherfilus-McCormick and her 2021 tax preparer, David Spencer, are also charged with conspiring to file a false federal tax return.

Nadege Leblanc, a staffer for Cherfilus-McCormick, is accused of arranging additional contributions through straw donors and sending the FEMA funds to friends and relatives. Prosecutors say those friends and relatives then donated to the campaign as if it were their own.

“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi in a statement. “No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice.”

If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison. Her brother could serve up to 35 years in prison. Spencer faces up to 33 years in prison, and Leblanc faces up to 10 years.

Attorneys respond to indictment

The congresswoman’s attorneys, David Oscar Markus, Margot Moss and Melissa Madrigal, said in a joint statement that Cherfilus-McCormick is a “committed public servant, who is dedicated to her constituents.”

“We will fight to clear her good name,” her attorneys said.

Cherfilus-McCormick represents Florida’s 20th congressional district, which includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Jordan Mickle (Senior Digital Producer)

Jordan is a senior digital producer at Straight Arrow News.

Tags: congress, COVID-19, Department of Justice, FEMA, Florida, Indictment, Pam Bondi

Why this story matters

Federal prosecutors have charged U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick with stealing and laundering $5 million in FEMA disaster relief funds, raising questions about oversight of federal pandemic relief programs and the integrity of public officials.

Federal disaster relief fraud

The indictment alleges that FEMA pandemic relief funds were stolen and misused, highlighting concerns about the vulnerability of emergency government aid to fraud and abuse.

Campaign finance law violations

Prosecutors claim the stolen funds were funneled into Cherfilus-McCormick’s congressional campaign through illegal straw donor schemes, underscoring ongoing challenges in enforcing campaign finance regulations.

Accountability for public officials

The case brings attention to mechanisms for holding elected officials accountable, as the congresswoman faces parallel criminal and congressional ethics investigations.

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Diverging views

Right-leaning articles emphasize previous ethics investigations and draw comparisons to indictments of other Democrats, sometimes highlighting political implications. Left-leaning sources focus more on legal process, past settlements and statements from defense attorneys.

History lesson

Misuse of federal disaster funds and campaign finance violations have led to high-profile prosecutions in the past, often resulting in resignations or lengthy legal battles for public officials.

Oppo research

Political opponents, such as Elijah Manley, have publicly criticized Cherfilus-McCormick, stating the indictment is 'a sad moment' for local constituents and emphasizing the need for new representation.