*A Florida congresswoman has been indicted for allegedly stealing disaster relief funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Department of Justice on Wednesday accused Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat serving the 20th congressional district, of “stealing [$5 million of] federal disaster funds, laundering the proceeds and using the money to support her 2021 congressional campaign.”
Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, had been under investigation by the U.S. Office of Congressional Ethics. Along with her tax preparer, David Spencer, 41, she also allegedly conspired to file a false federal tax return. A possible career-ending blow, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison, prosecutors said.
The situation stems from a significant administrative error on the part of FEMA. Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, 51, received a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract for their family healthcare company. In July of 2021, FEMA mistakenly overpaid the contract by $5 million.
The issue is that the funds were not returned. The co-defendants are suspected of dispersing the funds over various accounts to prevent tracing. Some of the money was funneled to friends and family members to fund her campaign.
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According to the Justice Department, Cherfilus-McCormick and co-defendant Nadege Leblanc, 46, allegedly relied on “straw donors” who posed as legitimate donors by making campaign contributions in their own names.
If convicted, Edwin Cherfilus could be sentenced to up to 35 years, Leblanc up to 10 years, and Spencer up to 33 years.
“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. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice,” Attorney General Pam Bondi stated in a news release.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida stated such crimes cause the public to lose trust in public servants:
“When FEMA funds are diverted for personal or political gain, it erodes trust and harms us all. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are used as intended and that the public’s trust is safeguarded.”
Before being plagued by accusations of FEMA fraud and campaign finance violations, the congresswoman concentrated her efforts on the economic stability of working families, healthcare, and human rights violations in Cameroon. Replacing the late Congressman Alcee Hastings, she won a special election in 2022 to represent the 20th District, which encompasses portions of Broward and Palm Beach counties.
The case remains under investigation by the FBI Office in Miami and the IRS field office in Florida.
Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., said he will file for censure to have Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick removed from Congress.
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