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U.S. Congresswoman Charged with Stealing $5 Million in COVID Relief Funds
Federal prosecutors have indicted U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida on charges of misappropriating $5 million in federal disaster funds, the Justice Department announced Wednesday. The Democratic congresswoman is accused of diverting some of these funds to support her 2021 campaign for the House of Representatives.
Prosecutors allege that Cherfilus-McCormick stole Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) overpayments received by her family’s health care company through a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract. According to the indictment, a portion of these funds was channeled to her campaign through political contributions.
“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said 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.”
Attempts to reach Cherfilus-McCormick’s Washington office for comment were unsuccessful.
The 20th Congressional District representative was first elected to Congress in a special election in 2022, following the death of Rep. Alcee Hastings in 2021. Her district covers portions of Broward and Palm Beach counties in South Florida, traditionally Democratic strongholds in the state.
The indictment comes after months of mounting legal troubles surrounding Cherfilus-McCormick and her family business. In December 2024, the Florida Division of Emergency Management filed a lawsuit against Trinity Healthcare Services, a company owned by the congresswoman’s family. The state agency claimed Trinity overcharged Florida by nearly $5.8 million for pandemic-related work and refused to return the funds.
According to the lawsuit, Trinity Healthcare Services was contracted in 2021 to register people for COVID-19 vaccinations. The agency reported discovering the financial irregularities after a single $5 million overpayment raised red flags during routine financial reviews. At the time of the contract and payments, Cherfilus-McCormick served as CEO of Trinity.
This case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of how pandemic relief funds were distributed and used across the country. During the COVID-19 crisis, the federal government rapidly deployed billions in emergency funding, creating opportunities for potential misuse in some instances.
Further complicating matters for the congresswoman, the Office of Congressional Ethics released a report in January documenting that Cherfilus-McCormick’s income increased by more than $6 million from 2020 to 2021. This substantial rise was primarily attributed to nearly $5.75 million in consulting and profit-sharing fees she received from Trinity Healthcare Services.
The timing of this income spike coincides with her campaign for Congress, raising questions about potential connections between the company’s government contracts and her political ambitions. Federal campaign finance laws strictly regulate the sources and uses of campaign funds.
The ethics concerns have already prompted action from her colleagues in Washington. In July, the House Ethics Committee unanimously voted to reauthorize an investigative subcommittee to examine allegations involving Cherfilus-McCormick. This bipartisan committee investigation is separate from the criminal proceedings now underway.
If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick could face significant penalties, including prison time and fines. The case also raises questions about her political future in Congress and the potential for a special election should she be unable to continue serving her constituents.
The indictment adds to a growing list of legal challenges faced by members of Congress in recent years, highlighting the increasing scrutiny of elected officials’ financial dealings and the heightened enforcement of laws governing public funds, especially those allocated during national emergencies.
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8 Comments
This is a serious allegation of misuse of disaster relief funds. If true, it’s a concerning abuse of power and public trust. I hope the investigation is thorough and fair, and that the facts come to light.
It’s disheartening to see allegations of such blatant misuse of public funds, especially those intended to help people in need during a crisis. I look forward to learning more about the specifics of this case as it unfolds.
This is a concerning development that highlights the importance of robust oversight and accountability measures for how disaster relief funds are distributed and used. I hope the truth comes out through the legal process.
Misappropriating disaster relief funds is a shameful abuse of position. Elected officials have a responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer money, not enrich themselves. This indictment raises many questions that need to be answered.
I agree, the public deserves a full accounting of what happened here. Transparency and accountability are critical in cases like this involving public funds.
The misappropriation of disaster relief funds is a serious breach of public trust. I hope the investigation is thorough and that any wrongdoing is swiftly addressed, regardless of the individual’s position of power.
Using COVID relief funds for personal or political gain is a serious betrayal. I’m curious to learn more details about the specific allegations and how the congresswoman plans to respond.
Absolutely. The facts need to be thoroughly investigated, and any wrongdoing must be swiftly addressed. Maintaining public trust in our institutions is paramount.