U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from Florida, has been indicted for allegedly stealing $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster funds and using the money for illegal campaign contributions and personal gain. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in Miami on November 19, 2025, marking a significant legal and political development.
The indictment charges Cherfilus-McCormick and several co-defendants, including her brother Edwin Cherfilus, with conspiracy to steal federal funds, money laundering, and making illegal campaign contributions. According to the Department of Justice, the scheme involved a FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract awarded to their family healthcare company in 2021. This contract was intended to support pandemic response efforts, but prosecutors allege it was exploited for personal enrichment.
In July 2021, the company received an overpayment of $5 million from FEMA, which the defendants allegedly conspired to steal. They routed the funds through multiple bank accounts to disguise the source, with a substantial portion used to support Cherfilus-McCormick’s 2021 congressional campaign. This misuse of taxpayer money intended for disaster relief underscores vulnerabilities in emergency funding oversight.
The indictment further alleges that Cherfilus-McCormick and another co-defendant, Nadege Leblanc, arranged for straw donors to funnel additional money from the FEMA contract into the campaign. Friends and relatives were used to make contributions as if they were using their own funds, masking the illicit origin. This method allowed the campaign to appear compliant with donation limits while secretly benefiting from stolen public funds.
Additionally, Cherfilus-McCormick and her tax preparer, David K. Spencer, are charged with conspiring to file a false federal tax return. They allegedly claimed political spending and personal expenses as business deductions and inflated charitable contributions to reduce her tax obligations. This adds a layer of financial fraud to the case, complicating the legal proceedings.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida emphasized that the indictment demonstrates no one is above the law and reflects a commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars. Attorney General Pamela Bondi condemned the act as a ‘selfish, cynical crime’ that erodes public trust, highlighting the broader implications for accountability in government.
If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison, while her brother could receive up to 35 years, Leblanc up to 10 years, and Spencer up to 33 years. The case is being investigated by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys and a DOJ trial attorney. These potential sentences reflect the severity of the charges and the government’s focus on deterring similar misconduct.
The indictment highlights ongoing scrutiny of COVID-19 relief programs, where billions were allocated to combat the pandemic, and instances of misuse have been prosecuted nationwide. As the case moves forward, it could influence public perception of disaster fund management and political ethics, potentially affecting Cherfilus-McCormick’s career and future elections in her district.
