A federal grand jury in Miami has charged U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and several others with misusing federal disaster relief money for her 2021 election campaign. The indictment says Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, secured a COVID-19 vaccination contract from FEMA through their healthcare company, Trinity Healthcare Services. The company received an improper $5 million overpayment, which prosecutors claim was laundered through multiple bank accounts.
The charges also include accusations that Cherfilus-McCormick worked with Nadege Leblanc to funnel money from the FEMA contract to friends and family. These individuals then made donations to her campaign, pretending the funds were their own. Additionally, Cherfilus-McCormick and her tax preparer are accused of conspiring to file a false federal tax return.
U.S. Attorney Jason Reding emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating that no one is above the law and warning that diverting FEMA funds for personal or political gain damages public trust. If found guilty, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison.
Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat representing a South Florida district near Miami, was elected in 2021 after the death of longtime Congressman Alcee Hastings. Reports show she loaned more than $3 million of her own money to outspend her opponents during the campaign. Earlier this year, the House Ethics Committee began investigating whether she violated campaign finance laws.
Following the indictment, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Cherfilus-McCormick will temporarily step down from her seat on the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee until the legal process wraps up. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the proper use of emergency government funds and campaign finance transparency.