U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has denied wrongdoing after being indicted on 15 federal counts related to an alleged $5 million overpayment to her family's health care company under a 2021 COVID-19 vaccination contract. Her arraignment was postponed to Jan. 20 so she can complete her legal team. Prosecutors allege some funds were redirected — including more than $100,000 for a three-carat yellow diamond ring — and that money flowed through intermediaries into campaign donations. She was released on a $60,000 bond and says she will not resign while cooperating with investigators.
Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Denies Allegations After Indictment Over $5M in COVID Relief Funds
CORRECTS TO HEARING, NOT ARRAIGNMENT - U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., left, speaks to the media as her lawyer David Markus looks on after a hearing in federal court Monday, Dec. 29, 2025 in Miami. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
MIAMI — U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick insisted she is innocent Monday after a brief appearance outside a federal courthouse in Miami, where she faces a 15-count indictment alleging the diversion of $5 million in federal COVID-19 disaster relief funds.
The scheduled arraignment was postponed at the defense's request so Cherfilus-McCormick could finalize her legal team. Prosecutors did not object and U.S. District Judge Lisette Reid rescheduled the hearing for Jan. 20. The in-court proceeding lasted under five minutes.
"I just want to make it very clear that I am innocent. In no way did I steal any kind of funds. I'm committed to the people of Florida and my district," Cherfilus-McCormick told reporters after leaving court.
The Democrat has pleaded not guilty to a 15-count federal indictment. Prosecutors allege that Trinity Healthcare Services, a family-owned company that contracted to provide staffing for COVID-19 vaccinations in 2021, was overpaid — receiving $5 million after a $50,000 request — and that the excess funds were not returned.
The indictment alleges some of the funds were distributed to friends and relatives who then donated to Cherfilus-McCormick's congressional campaign. It also alleges more than $100,000 was spent within two months of the payment on a three-carat yellow diamond ring, among other expenditures.
Cherfilus-McCormick's attorney, David Oscar Markus, called the matter a series of clerical or accounting errors that ordinarily would not amount to felonies and suggested the prosecution is politically motivated.
She was arrested in November and released on a $60,000 bond. The judge ordered her to surrender her personal passport and limited her travel to Florida, Washington, D.C., Maryland and the Eastern District of Virginia; she was permitted to retain a congressional passport to perform official duties.
The indictment lists charges including theft of government funds, making and receiving straw donor contributions, aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return, money laundering and related conspiracy counts.
Cherfilus-McCormick won a special election in January 2022 to represent Florida's 20th Congressional District, which includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties. Her office has said she does not intend to resign and that she has cooperated with "every lawful request" and will continue to do so while the matter is resolved.
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