U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted this week by a grand jury in Miami for allegedly stealing $5 million in federal disaster funds and laundering them toward her 2021 congressional campaign.
Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Miramar, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice, laundered funds from an overpayment from a contract between her family’s health care company and FEMA for COVID-19 vaccination staffing.
According to the indictment, Cherflius-McCormick and other defendants routed the money through several accounts, as well as to friends and relatives, who then donated to her campaign.
“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” said U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in the news release. “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 DOJ says the representative could face up to 53 years in prison if convicted.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Miami office and the IRS-Criminal Investigation Florida Field Office.
She also, and her tax preparer, were charged with conspiring to file a false federal tax return.
Among the defendants is the representative’s brother, Edwin Cherfilus.
In a social media post, Cherfilus-McCormick called it “an unjust, baseless, sham indictment — and I am innocent. The timing alone is curious and clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues.”
Cherfilus-McCormick stepped down from leadership on the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee Thursday.
U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, called the alleged behavior “one of the most egregious abuses of public trust I have ever seen.”
“Stealing $5 million in taxpayer disaster funds from FEMA of all places is beyond indefensible. Millions of Floridians have relied on FEMA after devastating hurricanes, and that money was supposed to help real disaster victims,” Steube wrote on social media.
–Florida Phoenix
JimboXYZ says
Looks like we got another one that was piling on the COVID Fraud & Abuse of 2020 ? Hmmmm, $ 5 million dollars. makes the Hunter Biden IRS case look like small claims amount ? Pam Bondi saying “nobody is above the law, sounds like Joe Biden pardoning his family for a dozen years after 4 years of saying the same thing ? Difference is Hunter go a POTUS pardon and this one isn’t so fortunate.
Another Corrine Brown ? Brown was released from prison because of Covid. And the only reason she had her verdict overturned was because a juror was deemed “inappropriately removed”. Brown was guilty on all 18 counts, unanimously. Interesting, under Trump she was guilty, under Biden, Brown chose to avoid a new trial by pleading guilty, already released from prison.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrine_Brown
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/236673-corrine-brown-trial-coverage/
Anyway, my prediction: McCormick is going to prison for this.
Joe D says
FEMA is such a SAVING GRACE to those disaster victims that have had their lives turned upside down. For ANYONE to knowingly scam the system, and defraud both the government and their taxpaying citizen neighbors is upsetting.
For the fraud to be perpetuated by an elected Government Representative is APPALLING! To knowingly accept a $5 million overpayment, then quickly launder the money through relatives, and election campaign funds to cover it up (if the allegations are proven true in court), is just unconscionable. I hope she and her co-conspirators are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for violating the public trust given them by the voters.
As a lifelong Democrat, I hold ALL representatives to their oath to uphold the laws of the land…Democrats AND Republicans. That being said, I hope that full audits of ALL FEMA funds (it’s almost too late to audit all the disbursed COVID Funds …some of which went to Congress members in large amounts, and were quickly “forgiven” repayment), are EQUALLY AUDITED to the same level.
I ABSOLUTELY AGREE with the prosecution of this Democratic Representative. I only hope these audits are focusing on ALL large recipients, and not just Democratic ones.
The co-conspirators in the HOPE Florida charity Medicaid funding money “shuffling” scheme come to mind for ? EQUAL PROSECUTION under the law.
RWBoggess says
Couldn’t agree more — it does not matter which party affiliation, NO ONE is above the LAW!! and there should be NO EXCEPTIONS – and that is the kicker! Exceptions are being made based on political affiliation and JUSTICE is NOT being doled out equally – and that is the tragedy!
JUSTICE is no longer blind! It sees 20/20 but only if you are part of a particular political affiliation.
Dusty says
Oh no she will probably be…gasp ..censured. OMG whatever will she do?!
bill says
politicians are the biggest thieves walking the earth. will she go to prison? i hope so if she is found guilty. they’re still home for justice I believe when Mendes of New Jersey went to prison.