Haitian-American South Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court in Miami on Monday afternoon following an indictment accusing her of misappropriating federal disaster funds.
Prosecutors allege the Democratic lawmaker faces 15 federal charges tied to the misuse of funds connected to a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract involving her family’s company, Trinity Healthcare Services. Authorities say the company received a multimillion-dollar overpayment that was not returned. If convicted on all counts, Cherfilus-McCormick could face more than 50 years in federal prison and over $2 million in fines.
The indictment, unsealed last month, alleges that within weeks of receiving the funds in 2021, money was routed through multiple accounts and used for personal and political purposes, including the purchase of high-value luxury items. Prosecutors also claim some of the funds were distributed to associates who later donated to Cherfilus-McCormick’s congressional campaign.
Cherfilus-McCormick has denied all allegations, calling the case politically motivated. Through her attorney, David Oscar Markus, she has said she is innocent and looks forward to contesting the charges in court. In a prior statement, the congresswoman said she has cooperated with investigators and intends to continue doing so.
The charges include theft of government funds, money laundering, making and receiving straw donations, assisting in the filing of false tax information, and related conspiracy counts. The alleged scheme also implicates members of her inner circle; her brother, a former chief of staff, and an accountant have also been charged.
Cherfilus-McCormick, who won a January 2022 special election to represent Florida’s 20th Congressional District following the death of Alcee Hastings, has said she does not plan to resign from office.
At a prior court appearance, she was released on a $60,000 bond and surrendered her personal passport, while being allowed to retain her congressional passport for official duties. The case centers on funds associated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and related pandemic response programs.
