Florida Democrat Indicted for Laundering $5 Million in FEMA Funds Into Campaign War Chest
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from Florida, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for orchestrating a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme that allegedly funneled FEMA disaster relief funds into her 2021 congressional campaign and personal accounts.
The Justice Department announced the indictment Wednesday, detailing how Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, allegedly stole a $5 million overpayment from FEMA that was issued to their family-run health care company during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors say the pair laundered the funds through a network of accounts to boost her political campaign and enrich their inner circle.
“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain.”
FBI Director Kash Patel added, “This individual and her family allegedly stole money from FEMA and then laundered it through friends toward her own personal benefits – including her campaign accounts.”
The fraudulent FEMA payment, issued in July 2021, stemmed from a contract for COVID vaccinations. According to the indictment, the funds were routed through multiple layers to mask their origin before reaching Cherfilus-McCormick’s campaign coffers.
Prosecutors also charged the congresswoman’s district chief of staff, Nadege Leblanc, with helping launder some of the stolen funds through straw donors—who in turn made illegal contributions to the campaign. Additionally, tax preparer David Spencer is accused of filing a false tax return to hide political spending and personal expenses as business deductions, while inflating her charitable contributions.
Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison if convicted. Her brother faces up to 35 years, Leblanc up to 10 years, and Spencer up to 33 years.
Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) announced he will file a motion to censure Cherfilus-McCormick and remove her from all House committees. “This is one of the most egregious abuses of public trust I have ever seen,” Steube said. “Stealing $5 million in taxpayer disaster funds from FEMA of all places is beyond indefensible.”
The Florida Democrat currently serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. She is also under investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
Cherfilus-McCormick’s legal team has denied wrongdoing, calling her a “committed public servant” and vowing to “fight to clear her good name.”