In a stunning federal indictment that has rocked Capitol Hill, Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida faces serious charges of stealing millions in disaster relief funds meant for COVID-19 vaccination efforts and funneling them into her own congressional campaign. The 46-year-old lawmaker, along with her brother and several associates, is accused of a scheme involving overpayments from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that prosecutors describe as a blatant betrayal of public trust.
The charges, unsealed by a Miami grand jury on November 19, 2025, detail how Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, 51, allegedly conspired to siphon off $5 million in FEMA funds through their family-owned healthcare company. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the company received this overpayment in July 2021 as part of a contract for staffing COVID-19 vaccination sites—a critical lifeline during the height of the pandemic. Instead of using the money for its intended purpose, the defendants are said to have routed it through a web of bank accounts to hide its origins, then directed it toward illegal campaign contributions and personal enrichment.
Prosecutors allege that Cherfilus-McCormick and co-defendant Nadege Leblanc orchestrated a network of “straw donors”—friends and relatives—who funneled the tainted funds as seemingly legitimate donations to the congresswoman’s 2021 special election campaign for Florida’s 20th Congressional District. If convicted on the federal charges, which include conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering, Cherfilus-McCormick could face a maximum sentence of 53 years in prison.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a sharply worded statement, condemned the alleged scheme as “particularly selfish” and “cynical.” “No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain,” Bondi declared. “We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice.” Her remarks underscore the gravity of misusing funds designated for disaster relief, especially when millions of Americans were relying on FEMA’s support amid widespread suffering.
The scandal has ignited immediate backlash from Republican leaders. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he plans to file a resolution on Thursday to censure Cherfilus-McCormick and strip her of her committee assignments on the House Foreign Affairs and Veterans’ Affairs committees. “This is one of the most egregious abuses of public trust I have ever seen,” Steube wrote. “Stealing $5 million in taxpayer disaster funds from FEMA of all places is beyond indefensible. Millions of Floridians have relied on FEMA after devastating hurricanes, and that money was supposed to help real disaster victims.”
The Republican Party of Florida echoed this fury, posting on X: “This is absolutely disgusting. She must step down NOW!” FBI Director Kash Patel also weighed in swiftly, tweeting that Cherfilus-McCormick and her family “allegedly stole money from FEMA and then laundered it through friends toward her own personal benefits—including her campaign accounts.”
On the Democratic side, reactions have been more measured. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters Wednesday evening that Cherfilus-McCormick is “innocent until proven guilty” and that he intends to speak with her soon. Her office did not respond to requests for comment from multiple outlets, and no attorney is yet listed on her case docket.
This is not the first time Cherfilus-McCormick has faced scrutiny over her campaign finances. The House Ethics Committee launched a probe in January 2025, following a referral from the Office of Congressional Ethics in September 2023, into potential violations tied to her 2022 reelection. A Howard University graduate who won her seat in a 2021 special election and was reelected to a third term in 2024, Cherfilus-McCormick has built a profile as an advocate for healthcare and veterans’ issues. But the current allegations cast a long shadow over her tenure, raising questions about accountability in Congress.
The federal investigation traces its roots to the Biden administration, according to sources familiar with the matter, highlighting how long-standing concerns have now erupted into formal charges. As the case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the stakes in public service: funds meant to aid communities in crisis cannot become tools for personal or political gain. With trials looming and political pressure mounting, Cherfilus-McCormick’s political future hangs in the balance, and the eyes of Washington—and Florida—are watching closely.