Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Indicted for $5M FEMA Fraud

Florida Democrat Faces Federal Charges Over Misappropriated Disaster Relief Funds

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) has been indicted by federal prosecutors on charges of stealing and laundering $5 million in FEMA disaster relief funds, using the money to finance her congressional campaigns and personal enrichment. The indictment, unsealed on November 19, 2025, alleges a complex scheme involving her family-owned healthcare company during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Justice Department, Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, operated a staffing company that received a FEMA contract for Covid vaccination services in 2021. The company was allegedly overpaid by $5 million, with the funds then routed through multiple accounts to conceal their origin. Prosecutors claim the congresswoman used this money to fund her successful 2022 special election campaign and for personal gain.

Further allegations include the use of "straw donors" – friends and relatives – to funnel additional illicit funds into her campaign. The indictment also accuses Cherfilus-McCormick of filing a false federal tax return for 2021 with the assistance of a tax preparer.

"Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime," stated Attorney General Pam Bondi. "No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain."

Cherfilus-McCormick won her congressional seat in a January 2022 special election following the death of Rep. Alcee Hastings, securing 72.3% of the vote in the general election. She ran uncontested in her re-election bid last year. The indictment comes amid an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation that began in May 2024 regarding community project funding requests linked to her for-profit entities.

Legal and Political Fallout

The congresswoman's legal team maintains her innocence, stating in a response: "She is a committed public servant, who is dedicated to her constituents. We will fight to clear her good name." However, Cherfilus-McCormick notably did not participate in House roll call votes on the day the indictment was announced.

The case highlights broader accountability challenges in Washington. In June 2025, Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) also faced indictment for interfering with federal law enforcement at an ICE facility, marking a trend of legal scrutiny toward sitting members.

FEMA funds are intended for disaster victims, not political campaigns, underscoring the gravity of the allegations. The Justice Department emphasized that the investigation remains active, with a federal grand jury in Miami handling the case. Legal experts note that if convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick could face significant prison time and potential expulsion from Congress.

The development raises questions about the integrity of disaster relief programs and the intersection of federal contracts with political financing. As the case progresses, constituents and colleagues alike will be watching closely for accountability measures from both the judicial system and House leadership.