A Democratic congresswoman has been federally charged with stealing millions of dollars of federal disaster funds during the COVID-19 pandemic and using the money to fund her political campaign and line her own pockets. Now, the Florida Democrat is facing possible jail time, as well as expulsion from the House of Representatives, over the scheme she is alleged to have run through her family company.
Charges over $5 million overpayment
On Wednesday, the Justice Department announced that U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of keeping over $5 million in overpayments made by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to Trinity Healthcare Services, a company owned by her family. Cherfilus-McCormick is alleged to have channeled some of the money into her congressional campaign, which resulted in her winning an election to replace deceased Rep. Alcee Hastings in representing Florida’s 20th district, which includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties. Cherfilus-McCormick is also alleged to have profited from the scheme, with her income increasing by over $6 million in one year based on payouts from Trinity, the company for which she served as CEO in 2021.
Congresswoman under scrutiny for months
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi commented on the indictment, saying that “using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” according to the DOJ. Bondi added, “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.” The federal charges are the latest development in scrutiny for Cherfilus-McCormick. In January, Trinity was sued by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the agency that erroneously made the overpayments, including a single transaction that overpaid Trinity by $5 million. The company had been tasked with registering individuals for COVID-19 vaccinations. In July, the House Ethics Committee approved a separate investigation into the congresswoman for improprieties concerning campaign donations that were allegedly linked to official actions by Cherfilus-McCormick, as well as allegedly attempting to channel public funds to a for-profit organization.
Reactions to charges
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York announced that Cherfilus-McCormick will step aside from her leadership role on the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee, per party rules for indicted members of the Democratic caucus. Jeffries said in a statement that “Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has proudly represented the people of Palm Beach and Broward Counties since 2022. Consistent with the United States Constitution, she is entitled to her day in court and the presumption of innocence.” Cherfilus-McCormick released a statement Thursday disputing the charges. “This is an unjust, baseless, sham indictment — and I am innocent,” the congresswoman stated. “The timing alone is curious and clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues. From day one, I have fully cooperated with every lawful request, and I will continue to do so until this matter is resolved.“ With the indictment, however, Republican Congressman Greg Steube of Florida has declared that he will push for Cherfilus-McCormick to be expelled from Congress.
Cherfilus-McCormick is pledging to fight for her reputation, career and possibly her freedom. With criminal charges coming from the Justice Department and the threat of an expulsion vote in the House of Representatives, the congresswoman faces a multifront battle in the face of serious charges against her.