MIAMI (AP) — U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick reiterated her innocence Monday outside a Miami federal courthouse, where she faces charges of conspiring to steal $5 million in federal COVID-19 disaster funds. Cherfilus-McCormick was scheduled to be arraigned, but her attorney requested the proceeding be rescheduled to Jan. 20 so that she could finalize her legal team. Prosecutors didn’t object, and Judge Lisette Reid agreed to the new date. The hearing lasted less than five minutes.
“I just want to make it very clear that I am innocent,” Cherfilus-McCormick said immediately after leaving court. “In no way did I steal any kind of funds. I’m committed to the people of Florida and my district.”
Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, has pleaded not guilty. She is facing 15 federal counts that accuse her of stealing funds that had been overpaid to her family’s health care company, Trinity Healthcare Services, in 2021. The company had a contract to register people for COVID-19 vaccinations.
Cherfilus-McCormick’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, said the case involves mistakes that generally aren’t even misdemeanors, let alone felonies. He believes the case is politically motivated.
Cherfilus-McCormick was arrested in November and then freed on a $60,000 bond. In addition to bail, the judge said she must surrender her personal passport, allowing travel only between Florida, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and the Eastern District of Virginia. However, she has been allowed to retain her congressional passport for legislative duties.
According to the federal indictment, prosecutors stated that within two months of receiving the funds in 2021, over $100,000 was allegedly spent on a 3-carat yellow diamond ring for the congresswoman. The healthcare company owned by Cherfilus-McCormick’s family had received payments through a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract; however, her brother mistakenly requested $50,000, leading them to receive $5 million without returning the excess.
Prosecutors further claimed the improperly obtained funds were diverted to various accounts, including donations made to her congressional campaign by friends and relatives. Cherfilus-McCormick won a special election in January 2022 to represent Florida’s 20th District, following the death of Rep. Alcee Hastings in 2021.
She is facing serious charges including theft of government funds, making and receiving straw donor contributions, aiding in a false statement on a tax return, money laundering, and conspiracy charges related to these counts. Despite the allegations, a statement from her chief of staff indicated that she does not intend to resign from her position and has cooperated with all lawful requests throughout the ongoing investigation.
“I just want to make it very clear that I am innocent,” Cherfilus-McCormick said immediately after leaving court. “In no way did I steal any kind of funds. I’m committed to the people of Florida and my district.”
Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, has pleaded not guilty. She is facing 15 federal counts that accuse her of stealing funds that had been overpaid to her family’s health care company, Trinity Healthcare Services, in 2021. The company had a contract to register people for COVID-19 vaccinations.
Cherfilus-McCormick’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, said the case involves mistakes that generally aren’t even misdemeanors, let alone felonies. He believes the case is politically motivated.
Cherfilus-McCormick was arrested in November and then freed on a $60,000 bond. In addition to bail, the judge said she must surrender her personal passport, allowing travel only between Florida, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and the Eastern District of Virginia. However, she has been allowed to retain her congressional passport for legislative duties.
According to the federal indictment, prosecutors stated that within two months of receiving the funds in 2021, over $100,000 was allegedly spent on a 3-carat yellow diamond ring for the congresswoman. The healthcare company owned by Cherfilus-McCormick’s family had received payments through a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract; however, her brother mistakenly requested $50,000, leading them to receive $5 million without returning the excess.
Prosecutors further claimed the improperly obtained funds were diverted to various accounts, including donations made to her congressional campaign by friends and relatives. Cherfilus-McCormick won a special election in January 2022 to represent Florida’s 20th District, following the death of Rep. Alcee Hastings in 2021.
She is facing serious charges including theft of government funds, making and receiving straw donor contributions, aiding in a false statement on a tax return, money laundering, and conspiracy charges related to these counts. Despite the allegations, a statement from her chief of staff indicated that she does not intend to resign from her position and has cooperated with all lawful requests throughout the ongoing investigation.
