Topline
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., was accused of allegedly stealing and laundering $5 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Justice Department announced Wednesday, alleging the scheme was carried out through her family care business.
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Key facts
The Justice Department accused Cherfilus-McCormick of stealing disaster funds, laundering them and using them to support her congressional campaign.
Prosecutors have further alleged that some of the embezzled funds were used for the “personal benefit” of Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother Edwin Cherfilus, who is also a suspect in the case.
The $5 million at the heart of the case was an overpayment of FEMA funds given to Cherfilus-McCormick’s family business, which had a FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination workforce contract in 2021, according to the DOJ.
Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison if convicted.
The indictment also accuses the congressman’s 2021 tax advisor, David K. Spencer, of conspiring to file a false federal tax return.
Forbes has contacted Cherfilus-McCormick’s office for comment.
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Tangent
FEMA has undergone several leadership changes this year, as David Richardson, the agency’s acting head, resigned from his position this week after criticism of his reportedly lackluster response to July’s flooding in Central Texas. He will be replaced on December 1 by FEMA Chief of Staff Karen Evans, the third acting head the agency has had this year.
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