MIAMI – U.S. Rep.Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick formally pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of conspiring to steal $5 million in federal COVID-19 disaster funds,nearly three months after her indictment. The Florida congresswoman wasn’t present for the arraignment in Miami federal court.
A Fight in Washington While Facing Federal Charges
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The congresswoman entered a plea of not guilty while actively participating in congressional debates. Attorney William Barzee entered the plea on Cherfilus-McCormick’s behalf, explaining she was in Washington, D.C., engaged in congressional debates regarding funding for the Department of Homeland Security. “She’s eager to get back to work,” Barzee stated after the hearing. “She’s up in Washington right now fighting for her constituents, and her main focus is representing the people in her district.”
Barzee recently took over the case, replacing David Oscar Markus, who had requested multiple postponements of the arraignment while Cherfilus-McCormick addressed financial issues. Markus ultimately withdrew from the case due to scheduling conflicts.
allegations of Misused Funds
The 15 federal counts accuse Cherfilus-McCormick of stealing funds that were overpaid to Trinity Healthcare Services in 2021, before she was elected to Congress. The company had a contract to register individuals for COVID-19 vaccinations.According to the indictment, within two months of receiving the funds, more than $100,000 was spent on a 3-carat yellow diamond ring for the congresswoman.
The health care company,owned by Cherfilus-McCormick’s family,initially requested $50,000 through the COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract but mistakenly received $5 million. The indictment states the company did not return the excess funds.
Prosecutors claim the funds received by trinity Healthcare were distributed to various accounts, including those of friends and relatives, who subsequently made donations to Cherfilus-McCormick’s congressional campaign.
What are the charges against Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick? She faces charges including theft of government funds, making and receiving straw donor contributions, aiding and assisting a false and fraudulent statement on a tax return, and money laundering, along with associated conspiracy charges.
The Florida Department of Emergency management previously sued Trinity Healthcare in civil court.The company agreed to repay all improperly received funds last year as part of a settlement with the state.
Barzee expressed surprise at the Department of justice’s decision to pursue the case after the funds were already slated for repayment. “It’s surprising that the DOJ would take on a case after it’s been resolved and after there was an agreement to repay all of the funds that were improperly sent to her,” he said.
A Special Election Victory
Cherfilus-McCormick won a special election in January 2022 to represent Florida’s 20th District, encompassing parts of Broward and palm beach counties, following the death of Rep. Alcee Hastings in 2021.
Cherfilus-McCormick was arrested in November and released on a $60,000 bond. As part of the conditions of her release, she surrendered her personal passport and is restricted to travel between Florida, Washington, D.C., maryland, and the Eastern District of Virginia.She was permitted to retain her congressional passport for official duties.
