Florida Congresswoman Faces Federal Charges Over COVID Fund Misuse
A Democratic congresswoman from Florida stands accused of orchestrating a multi-million dollar scheme to divert disaster relief money into her political campaign, according to federal prosecutors.
Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, who represents a heavily Democratic district in South Florida, now faces serious legal consequences for allegedly misappropriating funds intended for pandemic response efforts.
The COVID Contract That Sparked Investigation
The controversy centres around Cherfilus-McCormick's role as CEO of Trinity Health Care Services, her family-run company that secured a government contract at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The agreement involved conducting coronavirus testing and outreach in minority communities across Florida.
According to court documents, the state overpaid Trinity by $5.8 million while distributing funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This overpayment became the subject of a civil suit that Florida's Division of Emergency Management settled earlier this year.
Although Trinity agreed to pay $5.62 million in the settlement without admitting any wrongdoing, federal prosecutors allege the congresswoman and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, 51, conspired to steal approximately $5 million of these funds.
Complex Money Laundering Scheme Unveiled
Prosecutors claim the siblings routed the misappropriated money through multiple accounts to disguise its origin before funnelling a substantial portion into Cherfilus-McCormick's 2021 congressional campaign.
The indictment further alleges that the congresswoman and her District Chief of Staff, Nadege Leblanc, arranged additional campaign contributions using straw donors. They allegedly channelled COVID funds to "friends and relatives" who then donated to the campaign as if using their own money.
David Spencer, who helped prepare Cherfilus-McCormick's 2021 tax return, also faces charges for conspiring to file a false federal tax return. Prosecutors claim he falsely listed political spending and personal expenses as business deductions while inflating charitable contributions to reduce her tax obligations.
Political Fallout and Legal Consequences
Attorney General Pam Bondi delivered strong remarks when announcing the charges, stating: "Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime. No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain."
The congresswoman's legal team has vowed to fight the allegations, describing their client as a "committed public servant who is dedicated to her constituents" and promising to "clear her good name."
Cherfilus-McCormick's political career has been under scrutiny since her narrow victory in the Democratic primary for Florida's 20th District in November 2021, which she won by just five votes. She subsequently secured full terms in 2022 and 2024 without facing challengers in either primary or general elections.
If convicted, the congresswoman faces up to 53 years in prison, while her brother could receive up to 35 years. Leblanc faces up to 10 years behind bars, and Spencer up to 33 years.
The House Ethics Committee has been investigating Cherfilus-McCormick since December 2023, and in July voted unanimously to reauthorise the investigative subcommittee probing the allegations against her.
Fellow lawmakers have reacted strongly to the indictment, with Florida Representative Greg Steube announcing he will file a motion to censure Cherfilus-McCormick and remove her from all committee assignments. The Republican Party of Florida has demanded her immediate resignation.
