Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) was indicted by a federal grand jury in Florida for allegedly stealing $5 million in FEMA overpayments to her company and funneling some of the money into her congressional campaign.
Why it matters: Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison if convicted, Justice Department prosecutors said in a press release announcing the indictment.
- The Florida Democrat has been under investigation by House ethics watchdogs since 2023 over alleged improper donations to the special election campaign that first got her elected to Congress.
- Cherfilus-McCormick, who has denied any wrongdoing, issued a statement Thursday morning calling the indictment "unjust," "baseless," and a "sham," declaring, "I am innocent."
The details: The indictment alleges that Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother received a $5 million overpayment in 2021 as part of a FEMA-funded COVID vaccination staffing contract to their family's health care company, according to prosecutors from the Southern District of Florida.
- The prosecutors say Cherfilus-McCormick and co-defendents then laundered the money and that a "substantial portion" of it went to her campaign to succeed deceased Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.) in 2021.
- Cherfilus-McCormick is known to have loaned her 2021 campaign $3.7 million, but eventually repaid $2 million of that.
What they're saying: "The timing alone is curious and clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues," Cherfilus-McCormick said of the indictment in her statement on Thursday.
- "From day one, I have cooperated with every lawful request, and I will continue to do so until this matter is resolved."
State of play: Cherfilus-McCormick was already facing a 2026 primary challenge from 26-year-old teacher Elijah Manley, who has based his campaign on allegations of corruption against her.
- She is part of a growing cohort of establishment House Democrats to be challenged from the left in their primaries.
- "Today's indictment is a sad moment for the people of Florida's 20th Congressional District," Manley said in a statement Wednesday. "The people of FL-20 are ready to move past this era of fraud, corruption, and distractions."
- Manley out-raised Cherfilus-McCormick between July and September of this year, bringing in $114,000 in donations to her $68,000.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
