A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) for allegedly “stealing federal disaster funds, laundering the proceeds, and using the money to support her 2021 congressional campaign,” the Justice Department announced. “She faces up to 53 years in prison if convicted,” Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin commented. BREAKING: DOJ charges Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) with stealing $5 million in FEMA funds, laundering the proceeds, and then using the money to support her 2021 Congressional campaign. She faces up to 53 years in prison if convicted. According to the… pic.twitter.com/QqMBRroGVI — Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) November 19, 2025 “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. In July 2021, the company received an overpayment of $5 million in FEMA funds,” the Justice Department stated in a release. “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,” it continued. BREAKING: Rep Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) INDICTED for allegedly stealing and laundering $5 million in FEMA funds. She faces up to 53 years in prison if convicted. pic.twitter.com/V11T06SW1I — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 19, 2025 More from the Justice Department: The indictment further alleges that Cherfilus-McCormick and Nadege Leblanc, 46, of 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. The indictment also charges Cherfilus-McCormick and her 2021 tax preparer David K. Spencer, 41, of Davie, with conspiring to file a false federal tax return. According to the indictment, they falsely claimed political spending and other personal expenses as business deductions and inflated charitable contributions in order to reduce her tax obligations. “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.” “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,” U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida said. Ironically, the Florida Democrat said “no American is above the law” in a 2023 post. This serves as another reminder that no American is above the law. https://t.co/KFhADYjvl4 — Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (@CongresswomanSC) June 9, 2023 Libs of TikTok shared additional posts: “No one is above the law” – Rep Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick who was just indicted for allegedly stealing $5 million of FEMA funds and using it to fund her Congressional campaign https://t.co/aoe0eZo3Ax pic.twitter.com/5d2Pa1ACCc — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 19, 2025 “If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison. Edwin Cherfilus faces up to 35 years, Leblanc up to 10 years, and Spencer up to 33 years,” the Justice Department noted.