Another hearing delay for a Florida congresswoman accused of stealing COVID-19 funds

Florida Congresswoman’s Arraignment for $5M COVID Fund Theft Delayed Again

A federal judge in Miami has postponed the arraignment of U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for the second time, granting the Florida congresswoman two additional weeks to finalize her legal representation. The hearing, now scheduled for February 3, was delayed after defense attorney David Oscar Markus explained to Judge Enjoliqué A. Lett that the congresswoman’s financial arrangements were complex but would be resolved by the new court date.

Prosecutors raised no objections to the postponement. The arraignment had previously been rescheduled from late December to January 16.

Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat representing Florida’s 20th District, faces serious legal troubles stemming from allegations that she participated in a scheme to misappropriate federal COVID-19 relief funds. Federal prosecutors have charged her with 15 counts related to the alleged theft of $5 million that was mistakenly paid to her family’s health care business, Trinity Healthcare Services, in 2021.

The company had contracted to register people for COVID-19 vaccinations during the pandemic. According to the federal indictment, Trinity Healthcare requested $50,000 for its services but received $5 million due to an error. Prosecutors allege that instead of returning the overpayment, Cherfilus-McCormick and associates diverted the money for personal use and campaign financing.

The congresswoman has maintained her innocence since the charges were announced last year and has formally entered a plea of not guilty.

Among the more damaging allegations, prosecutors claim that within two months of receiving the funds, more than $100,000 was spent on a 3-carat yellow diamond ring for Cherfilus-McCormick. The indictment further alleges that the funds were distributed to various accounts belonging to friends and relatives, who subsequently made donations to Cherfilus-McCormick’s congressional campaign.

These alleged transactions form the basis for multiple serious charges including theft of government funds, making and receiving straw donor contributions, aiding and assisting in filing false tax returns, and money laundering. Each primary offense also carries an associated conspiracy charge.

Cherfilus-McCormick was arrested in November and released on a $60,000 bond. As conditions of her release, the judge required her to surrender her personal passport and restricted her travel to Florida, Washington D.C., Maryland, and the Eastern District of Virginia. She has been permitted to retain her congressional passport to fulfill her official duties.

The timing of the alleged offenses is particularly notable, as they occurred before Cherfilus-McCormick won the special election in January 2022 to fill the congressional seat left vacant after the death of Rep. Alcee Hastings in 2021. Her district encompasses parts of both Broward and Palm Beach counties in South Florida.

Neither Markus nor Cherfilus-McCormick spoke to reporters before or after Tuesday’s brief hearing, maintaining the same silence they have kept since the charges were filed.

This case comes amid increased scrutiny of pandemic relief fund misuse. The Justice Department has been aggressively pursuing cases of COVID-19 relief fraud, with the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee estimating that billions in pandemic aid may have been stolen or improperly dispersed.

For Cherfilus-McCormick, the charges present not only legal jeopardy but also political risk. The congresswoman faces re-election this year, and these allegations could significantly impact her campaign as she attempts to maintain her seat while fighting serious federal charges.