In a stunning turn for Florida politics, Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Miami on charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and tax fraud tied to misappropriated FEMA disaster relief funds.
The charges stem from a COVID-era vaccination staffing contract awarded to her family’s healthcare company — a contract that prosecutors say became the centerpiece of a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme used, in part, to fund her successful 2021 congressional campaign.
According to court documents, Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, 51, allegedly conspired to steal more than $5 million in federal emergency aid, which had been overpaid by FEMA in July 2021. Rather than reporting or returning the funds, the indictment claims the Cherfilus siblings laundered the money through a network of bank accounts to obscure its origin and then used it for campaign contributions and personal enrichment.
But the allegations go deeper. Prosecutors say Cherfilus-McCormick also deployed a network of straw donors — friends and family members who made campaign donations with money funneled from the FEMA contract. The goal? Inflate her fundraising numbers while shielding the true source of the funds.
The indictment also takes aim at her tax filings. With the help of her tax preparer, David K. Spencer, 41, of Davie, Cherfilus-McCormick allegedly submitted fraudulent deductions on her 2021 return — including political expenses disguised as business deductions and artificially inflated charitable contributions. The goal, according to prosecutors: minimize her tax burden while covering up the money trail.
If convicted on all counts, Cherfilus-McCormick could face up to 53 years in prison. Her brother faces up to 35 years, co-defendant Nadege Leblanc up to 10 years, and Spencer up to 33 years.
“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain.”
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones echoed that sentiment: “Public money belongs to the American people. When FEMA funds are diverted for personal or political gain, it erodes trust and harms us all.”
The FBI and IRS-CI are leading the investigation. Prosecutors from both the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DOJ Criminal Division are handling the case.