Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democratic congresswoman representing a Florida district, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly stealing more than $5m in FEMA overpayments to fund her 2021 congressional campaign.
The indictment accuses Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, of siphoning disaster relief funds from their family healthcare company, moving the money through multiple accounts to conceal its origins. Prosecutors allege the majority of the funds were used for her campaign and personal benefit.
“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” said US Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “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.”
Additional charges include conspiracy to file a false federal tax return, involving Cherfilus-McCormick and her tax preparer, David K Spencer. The indictment also alleges that she and a staffer, Nadege Leblanc, arranged straw donor contributions using names of friends and relatives.
If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison.
