Rep. Sheila Cherfilus McCormick walked into a Miami courthouse this week looking like someone who finally realized the federal government was done playing nice. She entered in silence, posted bond, and left behind a trail of headlines that no member of Congress wants attached to their name. The South Florida Democrat is now staring at a 15 count federal indictment that paints a picture of corruption so blatant it could give the Illinois political machine a run for its money.
According to prosecutors, she helped siphon off five million dollars in FEMA disaster relief funds through a family business, then used some of that money to juice her own political campaign. That is not bending the rules or getting sloppy with paperwork. That is flat out looting federal disaster cash, the same money Americans count on after hurricanes, floods and everything else Mother Nature throws at them. While families were trying to rebuild their homes, prosecutors say she was busy rebuilding her campaign fund.
JUST IN: Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who is accused of stealing $5M in FEMA funds, allegedly used part of the money to purchase a $109,000 3.14-carat yellow diamond ring, which she’s seen wearing in her official government portrait. pic.twitter.com/cPTeF7BwyY
— ThOm GilmOre® 🦩 (@ThOmGilmOre) November 26, 2025
Here's a List of What Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Allegedly Spent Stolen FEMA On https://t.co/GjZfnYKGLh
— 🇺🇸 JimAaron 🇺🇸 (@ArOkTxNm1) November 26, 2025
Inside the courtroom she appeared shackled at the wrists while her husband watched from the gallery looking shaken. It was not a good moment for anyone involved. The indictment accuses her of theft of government funds, money laundering, straw donor schemes and filing fraudulent tax returns. If she is convicted on all of it, she could be looking at more than fifty years behind bars and over two million dollars in fines. For someone who was supposed to represent her district, that is a stunning fall.
Her attorneys came out swinging after the hearing. Temporary counsel Lauren Krasnoff claimed the government is willing to indict people without evidence and she hinted at a supposed targeting pattern against black lawmakers. When pressed, she doubled down. It is the same playbook we have seen too many times. When the facts look bad, shift to politics and identity instead of addressing the substance.
The judge approved her release on a twenty five thousand dollar personal surety bond along with five percent of another thirty five thousand dollar bond. One signature and seventeen hundred fifty dollars got her out the door. She had to surrender her personal passport but kept her congressional one, and she can only travel within parts of Florida, Washington, Maryland and the Eastern District of Virginia.
Her next court date is December 29, where she will be arraigned and finalize her legal team. Right now her lawyer is insisting she is innocent. The indictment tells a very different story, and the public is watching closely. When taxpayer money is stolen, especially disaster relief money, people expect real accountability, not excuses. The courtroom is where this will be sorted out, and she may not like how that ends.
Get this garbage out of Congress!!! Every politician is crooked to some extent. Start weeding them out. Jazmine Crockashit needs to be looked at too.
Democrats are always involved in this bullshit. From Biden down to your local county clerk. It’s always a Democrat. How about we start getting rid of Democrats?
No surprise. Her name does not come up on a search of CNN. Why would they cover an actual news story.