MIAMI — A federal grand jury has charged South Florida Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick with stealing $5 million in FEMA disaster funds, which she allegedly funneled into her 2021 congressional campaign, as announced by prosecutors on Wednesday.
Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, a Democrat serving Florida’s 20th District, is accused of collaborating with her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, and others to misappropriate federal COVID-19 relief funds that were meant for vaccination staffing during the pandemic. The indictment claims that the group laundered the funds through various accounts, using the money to support campaign contributions and pay for personal expenses.
Alleged Scheme Began With $5 Million FEMA Overpayment
According to federal prosecutors, the family-owned health-care company operated by Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother received a $5 million FEMA overpayment in July 2021. Rather than report or return the excess funds, investigators say the defendants “conspired to steal” the money and concealed its origins through a series of transfers.
A “substantial portion” of the misappropriated funds allegedly ended up supporting Cherfilus-McCormick’s special election campaign to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Alcee Hastings.
Straw Donors and Tax Fraud Allegations
The indictment also charges Cherfilus-McCormick and Nadege Leblanc, 46, from Miramar, with enlisting straw donors — friends and family members whose identities were used to mask the actual origin of campaign contributions. Prosecutors assert that the donations were reimbursed with money from the FEMA-backed vaccination contract.
Furthermore, Cherfilus-McCormick and her tax preparer, David K. Spencer, 41, from Davie, face accusations of conspiring to submit a fraudulent federal tax return. Prosecutors claim they wrongfully categorized political expenditures and personal costs as business deductions and exaggerated charitable contributions to lessen the congresswoman’s tax obligations.
Officials Condemn Alleged Abuse of Disaster Aid
Attorney General Pamela Bondi called the conduct described in the indictment “a particularly selfish, cynical crime.”
“No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain,” Bondi said.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones echoed that warning, saying the case underscores a commitment to “protect the American taxpayer.”
“When FEMA funds are diverted for personal or political gain, it erodes trust and harms us all,” he said.
If convicted on all counts, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in federal prison. Her brother faces up to 35 years, Leblanc up to 10 years, and Spencer up to 33 years.
Prosecutors emphasized that an indictment is only an allegation and that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
