In a major development, U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida faces serious allegations involving the misuse of federal funds. The Justice Department has indicted her, accusing her of illegally acquiring $5 million in federal disaster assistance. This misuse allegedly supported her political campaign in 2021, raising significant ethical and legal questions.
The charges suggest that Cherfilus-McCormick’s family healthcare company improperly received overpayments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These funds were intended for COVID-19 vaccination staffing but were allegedly redirected to bolster her campaign through candidate contributions, federal prosecutors claim.
Attorney General Pam Bondi expressed strong condemnation of the alleged actions, stating, “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.”
Attempts to reach Cherfilus-McCormick for comment were unsuccessful, as a phone message left at her Washington office had not been returned.
Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, was elected to Congress in a 2022 special election, representing Florida’s 20th District, which includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties. She succeeded the late Rep. Alcee Hastings, who passed away in 2021.
Cherfilus-McCormick was first elected to Congress in 2022 in the 20th District, representing parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, in a special election after Rep. Alcee Hastings died in 2021.
In December 2024, a Florida state agency sued a company owned by Cherfilus-McCormick’s family, saying it overcharged the state by nearly $5.8 million for work done during the pandemic and wouldn’t give the money back.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management said it made a series of overpayments to Trinity Healthcare Services after hiring it in 2021 to register people for COVID-19 vaccinations. The agency says it discovered the problem after a single $5 million overpayment drew attention.
Cherfilus-McCormick was the CEO of Trinity at the time.
The Office of Congressional Ethics said in a January report that Cherfilus-McCormick’s income in 2021 was more than $6 million higher than in 2020, driven by nearly $5.75 million in consulting and profit-sharing fees received from Trinity Healthcare Services.
In July, the House Ethics Committee unanimously voted to reauthorize an investigative subcommittee to examine allegations involving Cherfilus-McCormick.
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