A Democratic congresswoman faces federal charges for allegedly stealing $5 million in FEMA disaster relief funds to fuel her campaign, triggering an immediate Republican censure effort that exposes the shocking abuse of taxpayer money meant for emergency response.
Story Highlights
- Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) indicted for stealing $5 million in FEMA funds through family healthcare company
- Republican Rep. Greg Steube files privileged motion to censure and remove her from all House committees
- Alleged scheme involved laundering disaster relief money into illegal campaign contributions for 2021 congressional race
- Congresswoman faces up to 53 years in prison if convicted on conspiracy, money laundering, and tax fraud charges
Federal Indictment Exposes Massive FEMA Fraud Scheme
The Department of Justice announced federal charges against Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick for allegedly orchestrating a complex scheme to steal $5 million in FEMA disaster relief funds. According to the indictment, Cherfilus-McCormick conspired with her brother Edwin Cherfilus and others to launder the stolen money through her family’s healthcare company. The funds were originally intended for COVID-19 vaccination staffing during the pandemic emergency response.
The charges reveal how Cherfilus-McCormick allegedly used straw donors to disguise the source of campaign contributions, converting taxpayer disaster relief money into political support for her 2021 congressional campaign. Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the scheme as a “particularly selfish, cynical crime,” highlighting how the congresswoman exploited funds meant to help Americans during a national health crisis.
Republican Censure Motion Demands Immediate Accountability
Rep. Greg Steube announced plans to file a privileged motion to censure Cherfilus-McCormick and strip her of all House committee assignments. Steube characterized the alleged crimes as “one of the most egregious abuses of public trust I have ever seen,” demanding swift congressional action beyond the ongoing federal prosecution. The censure motion reflects growing Republican frustration with Democratic corruption and misuse of taxpayer funds.
The House Ethics Committee confirmed its ongoing investigation into the matter, which began after a September 2023 referral from the Office of Congressional Ethics. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that Cherfilus-McCormick “stole money from FEMA and laundered it through friends toward her own personal benefits,” underscoring the deliberate nature of the alleged fraud scheme.
Unprecedented Scale of Congressional Corruption
The $5 million theft represents one of the largest alleged fraud schemes involving a sitting member of Congress in recent history. The indictment details how the family healthcare company received FEMA overpayments for vaccination services, which were then systematically diverted for personal and political use. Co-defendants include Cherfilus-McCormick’s brother Edwin, who faces up to 35 years in prison, and tax preparer David K. Spencer, who faces up to 33 years for allegedly filing false returns.
This case undermines public trust in both congressional integrity and federal disaster relief programs that Americans depend on during emergencies. The systematic nature of the alleged scheme, involving multiple co-conspirators and elaborate money laundering techniques, demonstrates a brazen disregard for the rule of law and the proper use of taxpayer funds during a national crisis.
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House Republican to move to censure Dem accused of stealing disaster relief money for campaign
Democrat Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick indicted on federal charges
