US congresswoman charged with stealing $5m in federal disaster funds

November 20, 2025

Florida Democratic Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother Edwin face federal charges for allegedly stealing $5 million in disaster relief funds from FEMA that were intended for COVID-19 vaccination registration efforts. Prosecutors claim the siblings, who operated Trinity Healthcare Services, received an overpayment in July 2021 and laundered the money through multiple accounts to finance her successful 2022 congressional campaign. The scheme allegedly involved routing funds to friends and family members who then contributed the money back to her campaign as personal donations.

Who is affected

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (46-year-old Democratic congresswoman)
Edwin Cherfilus (51-year-old brother and co-accused)
Trinity Healthcare Services (family healthcare company)
Friends and relatives who allegedly received diverted funds
Another unnamed person mentioned in the indictment
Federal taxpayers
Disaster victims (as referenced by Rep. Greg Steube)

What action is being taken

The House of Representatives Ethics Committee is investigating Ms. Cherfilus-McCormick
Rep. Greg Steube is introducing a resolution to expel Ms. Cherfilus-McCormick from Congress

Why it matters

This case represents a significant breach of public trust involving the misappropriation of disaster relief funds during a public health emergency. The alleged theft diverted millions of dollars meant for COVID-19 vaccination efforts into personal political gain, undermining the integrity of both emergency response systems and the electoral process. The case also highlights accountability concerns for elected officials and the potential consequences when those in positions of power exploit federal programs for personal benefit.

What's next

A federal grand jury in Miami approved the indictment on Wednesday
Ms. Cherfilus-McCormick and her legal team will fight the charges in court
Rep. Greg Steube will introduce a resolution to expel her from Congress
The House Ethics Committee investigation will continue

Read full article from source: BBC