Patrick
Florida Democratic Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has been formally indicted by a federal grand jury, accused of orchestrating a scheme to steal $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds and funneling the money into her 2021 congressional campaign.
The Justice Department revealed the charges on Wednesday, marking a significant escalation in a long-running investigation.
Federal Charges and Allegations
According to the indictment, Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and her brother Edwin Cherfilus, 51, allegedly received a $5 million overpayment intended for their family-owned health care company. The money was linked to a federal contract that provided COVID-19 vaccination staffing in 2021.
Prosecutors say the siblings and multiple co-defendants then devised a strategy to illegally use the funds to support her political campaign. The DOJ alleges the defendants routed the money through a network of accounts to conceal its origin, ultimately benefiting the congresswoman’s electoral efforts.
Use of Straw Donors
The indictment further claims the group organized a series of straw donors, including close friends and relatives, to disguise the FEMA overpayment as legitimate campaign contributions. This method allegedly allowed COVID-19 contract funds to be quietly redirected into the campaign finance system.
Statements from Officials and Potential Penalties
Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the alleged conduct, calling the misuse of emergency relief funding “a selfish and cynical crime” and emphasizing that “no one is above the law.” She confirmed that investigators intend to pursue the case fully.
If found guilty on all counts, Cherfilus-McCormick could face up to 53 years in federal prison. As of Wednesday evening, no attorney had been listed on her court docket.
Ongoing Investigations and Political Response
Federal officials say the probe into Cherfilus-McCormick began under the Biden administration, according to multiple former and current government sources.
In January 2025, the House Ethics Committee publicly acknowledged its own review of the congresswoman following a referral from the Office of Congressional Ethics, originally submitted in September 2023.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday night, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries reiterated that Cherfilus-McCormick remains “innocent until proven guilty,” noting he had not yet spoken with her but intended to do so soon.
Move to Censure
In a sharp response, Republican Rep. Greg Steube, also of Florida, announced he will introduce a resolution to censure Cherfilus-McCormick. His proposal seeks to remove her from all House committees, including the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Veterans Affairs Committee.
Steube described the alleged conduct as “one of the most egregious abuses of public trust,” adding that FEMA funds are intended to help disaster victims, particularly after major hurricanes. Misusing such funds, he said, is “beyond indefensible.”
The indictment of Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick marks a major development in a politically charged and far-reaching investigation.
With accusations of laundering $5 million in FEMA funds, arranging straw donor schemes, and leveraging taxpayer dollars for political gain, the case has drawn sharp criticism from both sides of the aisle.
As legal proceedings unfold, the congresswoman faces the possibility of decades in prison, pending the outcome of the federal charges.