Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democratic congresswoman representing a Florida district, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of stealing over $5m in federal disaster funds to bankroll her 2021 congressional campaign.
The indictment alleges that Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, siphoned $5m in overpayments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) that were intended for their family healthcare company. The money was moved through multiple accounts to conceal its origins, with the bulk used for the congresswoman's campaign and personal benefit.
US attorney general Pamela Bondi condemned the alleged scheme, 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."
Additional charges involve Cherfilus-McCormick and a staffer, Nadege Leblanc, who allegedly arranged straw donations using the stolen funds under the names of friends and relatives. The congresswoman and her tax preparer, David K Spencer, also face conspiracy charges for filing a false federal tax return.
If convicted on all counts, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison.
