South Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is facing federal charges for allegedly stealing federal disaster funds, laundering the proceeds and then using the money for her 2021 congressional campaign, prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother Edwin Cherfilus are accused of working through their family’s health care company on a FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract, and in July 2021, the company received an overpayment of $5 million in FEMA funds, according to the U.S. District Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida.
The indictment alleged that those funds were routed through multiple accounts to disguise their source, and that a “substantial portion” was used as candidate contributions to Cherfilus-McCormick’s 2021 congressional campaign.
“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “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.”
Cherfilus-McCormick is also accused of working with Nadege Leblanc, 46, of Miramar, to arrange additional contributions using straw donors, funneling other monies from the FEMA contract to friends and relatives, who then donated to the campaign as if they were using their own money, the indictment stated.
Cherfilus-McCormick’s tax preparer, David K. Spencer, is also accused of conspiring to file a false federal tax return. Prosecutors accused them of falsely claiming political spending and other personal expenses as business deductions, and of inflating charitable contributions to reduce Cherfilus-McCormick’s tax obligations.
If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison. Edwin Cherfilus faces up to 35 years, Leblanc up to 10 years, and Spencer up to 33 years.
In 2022, Cherfilus-McCormick filed a defamation lawsuit against her campaign opponent, Dale Holness, who accused her of embezzlement to win the seat.
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