Posted on 11/23/2025 10:56:52 AM PST by John Semmens
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla) has been indicted for stealing $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds, laundering the proceeds, spending part of the money purchasing luxury items for her own personal use, giving part of the money to friends and relatives who then illegally donated to her campaign for Congress, and for tax evasion. Her brother Edwin Cherfilus, Nadege Leblanc, and David K. Spencer were also indicted as accomplices in one or more of the criminal acts. Additional details may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov.
In 2021, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), using FEMA funds, contracted with Trinity Healthcare Services--a company jointly owned by the Congresswoman and her brother--to register people for COVID-19 vaccinations. Instead of paying Trinity the $50,000 specified in the contract, FDEM erroneously paid $5 million. In 2024 FDEM asked for the over payment to be returned. Trinity refused, saying that FDEM's three-year delay in asking was too late because the money had already been spent. FDEM sued and reached a settlement in which the original over payment plus interest--an amount totaling $5.6 million--would be paid in installments over a several year period.
The Congresswoman cited this settlement and contended "this criminal indictment is an unjust, baseless, sham indictment. I am innocent. The timing alone is curious and clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues. The over payment was FDEM's fault, not mine. After three years I assumed that the 'finders keepers, losers weepers' rule would apply. It's bad enough that I have to repay the money, but to now be facing criminal charges constitutes an unconstitutional double jeopardy."
US Attorney General Pamela Bondi said "agreeing to repay the money doesn't negate the fact that some of the uses to which the FEMA funds were diverted would've been clearly illegal even if Representative Cherfilus-McCormick had used her rightfully owned money. It is illegal to use straw donors to make campaign contributions. It is also illegal to file false tax returns. The fact that elaborate steps were taken to try to conceal the origin of the funds she was spending is also evidence that she knew what she was doing was wrong."
Interestingly, the seat to which Rep Cherfilus-McCormick was elected in 2022 was formerly held by the late Alcee Hastings. Hastings held the seat from 1992 to his death in 2021. He previously had been impeached and removed as a federal judge in 1989. In 1983 he was put on trial for soliciting a $150,000 bribe in return for reducing the sentences of two mob-connected felons convicted in his court. He was acquitted, but a later investigation concluded that he committed perjury, tampered with evidence, and conspired to gain financially by accepting bribes. Despite his unsavory record, he was repeatedly reelected to Congress by this Florida district's voters for nearly 30 years. If she can avoid being sent to prison, Rep Cherfilus-McCormick has a good chance to replicate his achievement.
Sorry Sheila - your race card has been declined!
Not the Cherf? Who can we trust if not the Chief? 😭
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla) has been indicted
<><>for stealing $5M million in FEMA funds,
<><>then laundering the proceeds,
<><>and for tax evasion
<><>she spent part of the money purchasing luxury items for her own personal use,
<><>she gave money to friends and relatives who illegally donated to her Congressional campaign.
<><>brother Edwin, Nadege Leblanc, and David Spencer were indicted as criminal accomplices.
<><>more at Southern District Court of Fla at www.flsd.uscourts.gov web site.
She deserves an add on charge for the hyphenated name.
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