Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick posted a Christmas portrait on X from which users noticed a previously visible ring had been edited out. The change drew attention because the congresswoman was indicted in November on charges alleging she misused FEMA disaster-relief funds, including an alleged $109,000 jewelry purchase. Her chief of staff said the edit was an unauthorized staff decision; Cherfilus-McCormick has pleaded not guilty and faces 15 federal counts.
Florida Congresswoman Removes $100K Ring From Holiday Photo Amid Federal Indictment
United States House of Representatives; Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick/XSheila Cherfilus-McCormick's official portrait with and without her ring
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick drew renewed attention after posting a Christmas portrait on X (formerly Twitter) in which observers noticed a previously visible ring had been removed from the image. The edit came after the congresswoman was indicted in November on federal charges alleging she misappropriated FEMA disaster-relief funds and spent some of the money on personal items.
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick/XCongresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick's Christmas 2025 post
The Post And The Photo Edit
On Dec. 25, Cherfilus-McCormick shared a holiday greeting that read, “From my family to yours, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a joyful, safe holiday season.” Users quickly compared the newly posted portrait with earlier versions and flagged that a large ring visible in prior photos was no longer present. Several commenters tied the missing jewelry directly to the recent allegations against her.
United States House of RepresentativesCongresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick's official portrait
Indictment Details
Federal prosecutors allege the congresswoman and a relative improperly retained about $5 million in FEMA relief funds that had been overpaid to their family-owned business in 2021. According to reporting cited in local outlets, the indictment claims funds were laundered through multiple accounts and diverted to a 2022 congressional campaign and to personal expenses, including an expensive ring.
Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service via GettySheila Cherfilus-McCormick in January 2025
Local reporting says the ring purchase was made with a $109,000 cashier’s check in September 2021 for a 3.14-carat yellow diamond bought in New York City. A Tiffany & Co. client advisor reportedly identified the jewelry from photographs as a combination of the Tiffany Fancy Yellow Single Row Soleste and the Victoria Band ring.
Staff Response And Legal Status
Cherfilus-McCormick’s chief of staff, Naomie Pierre-Louis, told CBS 12 that the decision to alter the portrait was a staff-level choice and “was not directed, approved or authorized by the Congresswoman.” Pierre-Louis said staff made the change intending to protect the member’s reputation and that the official portrait would not be altered again.
The congresswoman surrendered to authorities in Miami on Nov. 25 and was released on bond. She has pleaded not guilty to the federal indictment, which alleges 15 counts including theft of government funds, false tax statements and conspiracy. If convicted on all counts, she could face up to 53 years in prison. She is scheduled to appear for arraignment on Dec. 29, according to court filings cited in local coverage.
Note: All allegations cited here are from federal charges and reporting by local news outlets. Cherfilus-McCormick has pleaded not guilty and the matter is subject to the judicial process.
