Democrat Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20) has been indicted for allegedly stealing $5 million in a FEMA funds scheme, according to the Department of Justice.
Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin detailed the charges against the Florida Congresswoman, who is accused of stealing millions of FEMA funds, “laundering the proceeds, and then using the money to support her 2021 Congressional campaign.”
BREAKING: DOJ charges Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) with stealing $5 million in FEMA funds, laundering the proceeds, and then using the money to support her 2021 Congressional campaign. She faces up to 53 years in prison if convicted.
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) November 19, 2025
According to the… pic.twitter.com/QqMBRroGVI
“Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and her brother Edwin Cherfilus, 51, both of Miramar, worked through their family health-care company on a FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract in 2021,” the DOJ press release shared. “In July 2021, the company received an overpayment of $5 million in FEMA funds.”
“The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to steal that $5 million and routed it through multiple accounts to disguise its source,” it added. “Prosecutors allege that a substantial portion of the misappropriated funds was used as candidate contributions to Cherfilus-McCormick’s 2021 congressional campaign and for the personal benefit of the defendants.”
“The indictment further alleges that Cherfilus-McCormick and Nadege Leblanc, 46, of Miramar, arranged additional contributions using straw donors, funneling other monies from the FEMA-funded Covid-19 contract to friends and relatives who then donated to the campaign as if using their own money,” the statement continued.
The DOJ also said that the indictment charges Cherfilus-McCormick “and her 2021 tax preparer David K. Spencer, 41, of Davie, with conspiring to file a false federal tax return."
“According to the indictment, they falsely claimed political spending and other personal expenses as business deductions and inflated charitable contributions in order to reduce her tax obligations,” it added.
“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” wrote DOJ Attorney General Pam Bondi in a statement. “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.”
If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison, per the DOJ.
This story is developing. Check back to RedState for updates.
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