Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick accused of laundering FEMA money for campaign
Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has been indicted alongside several co-defendants on allegations that she conspired to steal $5 million in FEMA funds, then laundered the money and funnelled it into her 2021 congressional campaign.
Cherfilus-McCormick of Miramar represents Florida’s 20th Congressional District, which includes historically Black voting precincts and parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties.
“This is an unjust, baseless, sham indictment — and I am innocent,” Cherfilus-McCormick wrote in a statement Nov. 20. “The timing alone is curious and clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues. From day one, I have fully cooperated with every lawful request, and I will continue to do so until this matter is resolved.
“I am deeply grateful for the support of my district, and I remain confident that the truth will prevail. I look forward to my day in court. Until then, I will continue fighting for my constituents.”
The Department of Justice announced the indictment late Wednesday. The Miramar News is working to obtain the document.
“According to the indictment, Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and her brother Edwin Cherfilus, 51, both of Miramar, worked through their family health-care company on a FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract in 2021,” prosecutors wrote in a news release. “In July 2021, the company received an overpayment of $5 million in FEMA funds.”
Prosecutors accuse them of laundering the money through other accounts and directing a “substantial portion” to the congresswoman’s election effort.
“Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick is a committed public servant, who is dedicated to her constituents. We will fight to clear her good name,” her attorneys David Oscar Markus, Margot Moss and Melissa Madrigal said in a statement shared with the Miramar News on Nov. 20.
Documents say Cherfilus-McCormick and a 46-year-old co-defendant also from Miramar “arranged additional contributions using straw donors, funneling other monies from the FEMA-funded COVID-19 contract to friends and relatives who then donated to the campaign as if using their own money,” according to the release.
Cherfilus-McCormick and her 2021 tax preparer are additionally charged with conspiring to file a false federal tax return. The justice department accused them of counting political funds and personal expenses as business deductions while writing off “inflated” charitable contributions.
“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. “No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice.”
Cities in Cherfilus-McCormick’s district includes Tamarac, Plantation, Lauderhill, Sunrise, Pompano Beach, Belle Glade and West Palm Beach. She does not represent Miramar.
This story was originally published November 19, 2025 at 7:49 PM.