U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, 2 others charged with stealing $5 million in FEMA funds, making illegal campaign contributions

A South Florida congresswoman and two others have been charged with stealing federal calamity funds laundering the money and then using the money to backing her congressional campaign according to federal prosecutors A grand jury returned the indictment charging the three defendants including U S Rep Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick on Wednesday According to agents the congresswoman and her brother worked through their family vitality care company on a FEMA-funded COVID- vaccination staffing contract in Later that year the robustness care company received an overpayment of million in FEMA funds The indictment alleges the defendants conspired to steal the million and routed it through several accounts to disguise its source Prosecutors say that a substantial chunk of that money was used as candidate contributions to the congresswoman s campaign and for the personal benefit of the other defendants Cherfilus-McCormick is also being accused of filing a false tax return According to the indictment they falsely claimed political spending and other personal expenses as business deductions and inflated charitable contributions in order to reduce her tax obligations The congresswoman was just re-elected to her congressional seat in Nov In a announcement U S Attorney Jason A Reding Qui ones for the Southern District of Florida disclosed In the current era s indictment shows no one is above the law This indictment reflects our Office s commitment to follow the facts apply the law and protect the American taxpayer News reached out to the congresswoman s office but have not heard back Please check back on WSVN com and News for more details on this evolving story