Florida Congresswoman Charged in Alleged COVID-19 Relief Fund Misuse

U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is facing serious federal charges after a grand jury in Florida indicted her for allegedly diverting federal COVID-19 relief money to support her 2021 congressional campaign. According to the U.S. Justice Department, the indictment centers on claims that the Florida Democrat and several associates improperly obtained a $5 million overpayment through her family-owned healthcare company, which had been contracted to provide vaccination staffing during the pandemic.

Federal prosecutors say the company, which operated under a FEMA-funded program, received far more money than it was entitled to. The indictment alleges that Cherfilus-McCormick and her co-defendants routed the excess funds through a series of bank accounts to obscure the true source of the money. Authorities claim that a significant portion of the misappropriated funds was ultimately funneled into her 2021 campaign as candidate contributions, while additional amounts were used for personal benefit.

Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, has not commented publicly on the indictment, and her representatives did not respond to media inquiries. Local reports note that she has previously denied any wrongdoing connected to the federal investigation. The Justice Department’s announcement highlights the seriousness of the charges, which come at a time of heightened scrutiny around the misuse of COVID-19 relief funds nationwide.

The congresswoman first took office in January 2022 after winning a special election to complete the term of the late Representative Alcee Hastings, who served the Miami-area district for nearly three decades before his death in 2021. Her rapid rise in Florida politics, combined with the high-profile nature of the charges, has drawn national attention as the legal process unfolds.

The case underscores ongoing federal efforts to track and prosecute fraudulent activity related to pandemic recovery programs. As investigators continue to build their case, the outcome could have significant political and legal implications for Cherfilus-McCormick and for oversight of emergency federal funding programs.