Representative Cherfilus-McCormick is facing charges of conspiring to steal $5 million during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as investigations by the House Ethics Committee.
Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida pleaded not guilty this week to 15 counts of federal charges of conspiring to steal $5 million in FEMA funding during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is accused of keeping funds that FEMA overpaid to her family’s health care company, Trinity Healthcare Services, where she was serving at the time as CEO. Her indictment also alleges that within two months of receiving the funding, she spend $100,000 to purchase a 3-carat yellow diamond ring. It is also alleged that some of the money was funneled to straw donors, who then donated it to her campaign.
The Office of Congressional Ethics is also looking into the accusations to determine if Representative Charfilus-McCormick also violated ethics rules by requesting earmarks for a for-profit entity. An initial report released by the House Ethics Committee stated that it found “substantial reason to believe” that several laws, regulations, and standards of conduct were violated. An adjudicatory subcommittee is expected to hold a hearing on this matter on March 5.
If convicted, the congresswoman could face over 50 years in prison.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Representative Cherfilus-McCormick as her trial is ongoing.
- For the members of the House Ethics Committee as they seek to hold their colleagues accountable.
- For those in Congress to serve with a sense of integrity and ethics.
Sources: The Hill, Politico
