FL congresswoman stole $5 million in FEMA funds, aided campaign: Indictment
A federal grand jury has indicted Florida Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for allegedly stealing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds. Federal prosecutors claim that a “substantial portion” of it financed Cherfilus-McCormick’s 2021 congressional campaign.
A Department of Justice news release states that Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin, received an overpayment of $5 million in FEMA funds in July 2021. Their family’s health care company, Trinity Health Care Services, received the overpayments through a federally funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract.
According to prosecutors, that money was then funneled to support her campaign through candidate contributions. The DOJ claims the funds were routed through multiple accounts to “disguise” the source.
Others indicted by grand jury
Cherfilus-McCormick and her 2021 tax preparer, David Spencer, are also charged with conspiring to file a false federal tax return.
Nadege Leblanc, a staffer for Cherfilus-McCormick, is accused of arranging additional contributions through straw donors and sending the FEMA funds to friends and relatives. Prosecutors say those friends and relatives then donated to the campaign as if it were their own.
“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi in a statement. “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.”
If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison. Her brother could serve up to 35 years in prison. Spencer faces up to 33 years in prison, and Leblanc faces up to 10 years.
Attorneys respond to indictment
The congresswoman’s attorneys, David Oscar Markus, Margot Moss and Melissa Madrigal, said in a joint statement that Cherfilus-McCormick is a “committed public servant, who is dedicated to her constituents.”
“We will fight to clear her good name,” her attorneys said.
Cherfilus-McCormick represents Florida’s 20th congressional district, which includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
