Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Indicted Over Federal Disaster Fund Misuse

MIAMI, Florida — U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from Florida, has been indicted for allegedly stealing $5 million in federal disaster funds and misusing the money for her 2021 congressional campaign, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on Wednesday.

Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and her brother Edwin Cherfilus, 51, of Miramar, are accused of profiting from a $5 million overpayment connected to a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract received by their family-owned healthcare company, Trinity Healthcare Services.

The indictment claims that Cherfilus-McCormick and her associates conspired to misappropriate the funds, routing them through multiple accounts to mask their origin. Prosecutors allege that a significant portion of this money was funneled to support her congressional campaign and for personal gain.

Additionally, the indictment mentions the involvement of Nadege Leblanc, 46, also from Miramar, who allegedly participated in a scheme using straw donors to further conceal the source of funding. It is also claimed that David K. Spencer, 41, of Davie, who prepared her taxes for 2021, conspired to submit a false federal tax return.

According to the Justice Department, they improperly labeled political spending and personal expenses as business deductions and inflated charitable contributions to lower her tax liabilities.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi called the acts “selfish and cynical,” emphasizing that such misuse of disaster relief funds will lead to accountability. “We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice,” Bondi stated.

Cherfilus-McCormick, who took office in 2022 after succeeding the late U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, now faces up to 53 years in prison if convicted. As the story develops, Local 10 News will provide updates.