U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from Florida, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Miami on charges related to the alleged misappropriation of $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds. The indictment, announced by the U.S. Justice Department, claims that Cherfilus-McCormick conspired with her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, and several co-defendants to misappropriate funds received by their family-owned healthcare company, Trinity Healthcare Services, through a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract.

Prosecutors allege that the defendants funneled the funds through various accounts to obscure their origin, with a significant portion reportedly used for campaign contributions to Cherfilus-McCormick’s 2021 congressional campaign and for personal expenses. If convicted, she could face a sentence of up to 53 years in prison.

The indictment also includes charges of conspiring to file a false federal tax return, which allegedly involved misrepresenting political spending and inflating charitable contributions to reduce tax liabilities. Attorney General Pam Bondi characterized the alleged misuse of disaster relief funds as a serious offense, emphasizing the need for accountability among public officials to maintain trust in government institutions.

Cherfilus-McCormick, who was first elected to Congress in 2022, has previously faced scrutiny from the House Ethics Committee regarding campaign finance violations linked to her election. The Florida Division of Emergency Management has also filed a lawsuit against her family’s healthcare company, claiming it overcharged the state by nearly $5.8 million for pandemic-related services.

In response to the indictment, Cherfilus-McCormick has denied any wrongdoing, describing the charges as unjust and suggesting that their timing is intended to distract from more pressing national issues. She has committed to cooperating with the ongoing investigation, which raises significant concerns about the integrity of federal relief fund allocations designed to support public health initiatives during the pandemic.