MIAMI – U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has formally pleaded not guilty to federal charges alleging she conspired to steal $5 million in federal COVID-19 disaster funds. The arraignment took place in Miami federal court on , nearly three months after her indictment.
According to court documents, the congresswoman was not present for the proceedings. Her attorney, William Barzee, entered the plea on her behalf, stating she was in Washington, D.C., participating in congressional debates regarding Department of Homeland Security funding. “She’s eager to get back to work,” Barzee said following 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 matters. Markus ultimately withdrew from the case due to scheduling conflicts.
Allegations of Misappropriated Funds
The indictment details 15 federal counts against Cherfilus-McCormick, accusing her of stealing funds that were overpaid to her family’s health care company, Trinity Healthcare Services, in 2021, prior to her election to Congress. Trinity Healthcare Services had a contract to register individuals for COVID-19 vaccinations. The alleged overpayment stemmed from a request for $50,000 that resulted in a disbursement of $5 million.
Prosecutors allege that within two months of receiving the funds, more than $100,000 was used to purchase a 3-carat yellow diamond ring for the congresswoman. The funds received by Trinity Healthcare were reportedly distributed to various accounts, including those belonging to friends and relatives, who subsequently made donations to Cherfilus-McCormick’s congressional campaign.
Cherfilus-McCormick was arrested in and released on a $60,000 bond. As part of the conditions of her release, she was required to surrender her personal passport and is restricted to travel between Florida, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and the Eastern District of Virginia. She has been permitted to retain a congressional passport to facilitate her duties as a member of Congress.
Previous Civil Settlement
The Florida Department of Emergency Management had previously filed a civil lawsuit against Trinity Healthcare. The company reached a settlement with the state last year, agreeing to repay all of the improperly received funds. Barzee noted this prior resolution, stating, “It’s surprising that the DOJ (U.S. Department of Justice) 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.”
Congressional Career and Current Status
Cherfilus-McCormick won a special election in to represent Florida’s 20th District, which encompasses parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, following the death of Representative Alcee Hastings in 2021.
The charges she faces include 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, in addition to associated conspiracy charges.
The case remains ongoing as of .
