Congresswoman Indicted Over Alleged $5M FEMA Overpayment, Vows to Fight Charges

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is an American businesswoman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 20th congressional district since 2022.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has denied allegations that she and several co-defendants stole millions of dollars in federal disaster relief funds and used some of the money to support her 2021 congressional campaign, calling the case unjust and vowing to fight the charges in court.

Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted by a federal grand jury in Miami on charges including theft of government funds, money laundering, campaign finance violations, and filing a false federal tax return. She has pleaded not guilty.

According to the indictment, Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, 51, both of Miramar, worked through their family health-care company on a Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract in 2021. Prosecutors allege the company received an overpayment of approximately $5 million in FEMA funds in July of that year.

Federal authorities say the defendants conspired to steal the overpayment and routed the money through multiple bank accounts to disguise its source. Prosecutors allege that a substantial portion of the misappropriated funds was used to make campaign contributions to Cherfilus-McCormick’s 2021 congressional campaign and to pay for personal expenses.

The indictment further alleges that Cherfilus-McCormick and Nadege Leblanc, 46, of Miramar, arranged additional campaign contributions using so-called straw donors. In that alleged scheme, money from the FEMA-funded COVID-19 contract was funneled to friends and relatives, who then donated to the campaign in their own names.

Cherfilus-McCormick is also charged, along with her former tax preparer, David K. Spencer, 41, of Davie, with conspiring to file a false federal tax return. Prosecutors allege political spending and personal expenses were falsely claimed as business deductions and that charitable contributions were inflated to reduce her tax obligations.

In public statements following the indictment, Cherfilus-McCormick has rejected the allegations, describing the case as a “sham” and politically motivated. She has said she is innocent and intends to contest the charges in court.

“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement announcing the indictment. “No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain.”

U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones said the case reflects the government’s commitment to protecting public funds. “Public money belongs to the American people,” he said. “When FEMA funds are diverted for personal or political gain, it erodes trust and harms us all.”

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, according to prosecutors.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Miami Field Office and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. Prosecutors include Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alejandra L. López and Yeney Hernández, along with Department of Justice Trial Attorney John P. Taddei.

An indictment is an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.