This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
A federal grand jury in Florida has indicted Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., for allegedly swiping federal disaster funds, laundering them through various corporations and then using the money to pay for her 2021 congressional campaign.
"Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. "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."
The defendant could end up with 53 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida stated, "Today's indictment shows no one is above the law. This indictment reflects our Office's commitment to follow the facts, apply the law, and protect the American taxpayer. Public money belongs to the American people. When FEMA funds are diverted for personal or political gain, it erodes trust and harms us all. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are used as intended and that the public's trust is safeguarded."
The indictment charges Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, 51, both of Miramar, worked through a family health-care company on a FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract in 2021.
In that July, the company got an overpayment of $5 million in FEMA funding.
"The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to steal that $5 million and routed it through multiple accounts to disguise its source. Prosecutors allege that a substantial portion of the misappropriated funds was used as candidate contributions to Cherfilus-McCormick's 2021 congressional campaign and for the personal benefit of the defendants," the Department of Justice confirmed.
Further, it accuses Nadege Leblanc, 46, of Miramar, of arranging 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.
And the charges also allege Cherfilus-McCormick and her 2021 tax preparer, David K. Spencer, 41, of Davie, conspired to file a false federal tax return, falsely claiming political spending and other personal expenses as business deductions and inflating charitable contributions in order to reduce her tax obligations.
