MIAMI (PulseWire) — U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Florida congresswoman, formally pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiring to steal $5 million in federal COVID-19 disaster funds on Tuesday, nearly three months following her indictment.
Cherfilus-McCormick was not present at the Miami federal court for her arraignment; her attorney, William Barzee, entered the plea on her behalf while she attended discussions about Department of Homeland Security funding in Washington, D.C.
“She’s eager to get back to work,” Barzee stated after the hearing, emphasizing her commitment to her constituents.
Taking over Cherfilus-McCormick's case this week, Barzee highlighted previous delays by her former attorney due to financial complications. The congresswoman is facing 15 federal counts linked to allegations of stealing funds that were overpaid to her family’s health care business, Trinity Healthcare Services, in 2021, preceding her election.
Authorities claim that the healthcare firm had a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract and mistakenly received $5 million, whereas they had only requested $50,000. Subsequently, some of these funds were funneled into personal expenses, including over $100,000 spent on a diamond ring.
Cherfilus-McCormick has been out on a $60,000 bond since her arrest in November; she must surrender her personal passport and is only permitted to travel between specific locations, although she retains a congressional passport for official duties.
Prosecutors argue that the included charges range from theft of government funds and money laundering to conspiracy, with claims that funds went through various accounts linked to friends and family before being funneled into her campaign financing.
As controversies unravel, her attorney expressed surprise that the Department of Justice would pursue the case after previous civil resolutions. Last year, Trinity Healthcare agreed to repay the improperly received funds following a lawsuit by the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
Cherfilus-McCormick was elected to represent Florida's 20th District in January 2022, taking over from the late Rep. Alcee Hastings.
