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A grand jury indicted U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, accusing her of stealing $5 million in federal relief funds to finance her 2021 congressional campaign.
Prosecutors say she and her brother diverted funds intended for COVID-19 vaccinations, funneled overpayments through multiple accounts and “straw donors,” and disguised contributions through falsified tax filings.
Cherfilus-McCormick, who has denied wrongdoing, faces money laundering and fraud charges carrying punishment of up to 53 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones said the case shows “no one is above the law.” Cherfilus-McCormick’s Democratic Primary challenger, Elijah Manley, called the indictment “a sad moment.”
– Jesse Scheckner, Florida Politics