U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick proclaimed her innocence outside a Miami federal courthouse, where she faces charges of conspiring to steal $5 million in federal COVID-19 disaster funds.
Her scheduled arraignment was postponed to January 20 to allow time to finalize her legal team.
Driving the news: Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from Florida, has pleaded not guilty to 15 federal counts, which include theft of government funds, money laundering, straw donor contributions, and conspiracy-related charges.
- The indictments allege her family’s company, Trinity Healthcare Services, was paid $5 million – intended as a $50,000 payment – for staffing COVID-19 vaccinations in 2021, and the excess was not returned.
- Prosecutors claim more than $100,000 was used to purchase a 3-carat yellow diamond ring for Cherfilus-McCormick, and allege some funds were funneled through friends and relatives who then donated to her congressional campaign.
- Her attorney argues the case concerns a mistake not typically prosecuted as a felony and asserts the charges may be politically motivated.
Zoomin: Cherfilus-McCormick was arrested in November, released on a $60,000 bond, and must surrender her personal passport, though she retains her congressional passport for work purposes.
- She has stated she will not resign and will continue to cooperate with authorities and serve her district as the legal process continues.
