{"id":2512688,"date":"2025-11-20T08:43:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T13:43:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-dem-indicted-for-bankrolling-campaign-with-fema-funds\/"},"modified":"2025-11-20T08:44:46","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T13:44:46","slug":"house-dem-indicted-for-bankrolling-campaign-with-fema-funds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-dem-indicted-for-bankrolling-campaign-with-fema-funds\/","title":{"rendered":"House Dem Indicted For Bankrolling Campaign With FEMA Funds \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhouse-dem-indicted-for-bankrolling-campaign-with-fema-funds%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2512688&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from florida, has been indicted on charges that <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >include stealing federal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/john-stossel-obama-propaganda\/\" title=\"John Stossel: Obama Propaganda\">disaster relief funds<\/a><\/a>, laundering the money, and using part of it to finance her 2021 congressional campaign. The Department of Justice alleges that she, her brother Edwin Cherfilus, congressional staffer nadege Leblanc, and tax preparer david K. Spencer conspired to misuse FEMA funds allocated for a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract through their family health care company. the indictment claims that about $5 million was illegally overpaid and then funneled through multiple accounts to conceal its origin, wiht notable amounts used as illegal campaign contributions and for personal benefit.Spencer is also charged with conspiring to file a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-grants-26-pardons-and-3-commutations-includes-numerous-prominent-names\/\" title=\"Trump Grants 26 Pardons And 3 Commutations, Includes Numerous Prominent Names\">false tax return<\/a> by misrepresenting personal and political expenses.<\/p>\n<p>Cherfilus-McCormick won a special election in 2022 to complete the term of the late Rep. Alcee Hastings and has since been re-elected twice, despite ongoing investigations by the House Ethics Committee into campaign finance violations. As one of the few Haitian American members of Congress,she has been an advocate for Haitian immigrants,co-chairing the House Haiti Caucus and actively pushing for humanitarian aid and protections for Haitian migrants. Prior to her political career, she was CEO of a home health care company and largely self-funded her election campaigns. Attorney General Pamela bondi condemned the alleged misuse of disaster funds, emphasizing that no one is above the law.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., faces up to 53 years in prison for allegedly stealing federal disaster funds, laundering the proceeds, and using the a portion of the money to support her 2021 congressional campaign, according to the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n<p>Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, was indicted along with her brother Edwin Cherfilus, 51;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.legistorm.com\/person\/Nadege_French_LeBlanc\/420142.html\">congressional staffer<\/a> Nadege Leblanc, 46; and tax preparer David K. Spencer, 41.<\/p>\n<p>Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother worked through their family health care company on a FEMA-funded Covid vaccination staffing contract in 2021 and, according to a DOJ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/south-florida-congresswoman-charged-stealing-5-million-fema-funds-and-making-illegal\">statement<\/a>, in July 2021, the company received an overpayment of $5 million in FEMA funds. They allegedly conspired to steal money by routing it through multiple accounts to disguise its source.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Prosecutors allege that a substantial portion of the misappropriated funds was used as candidate contributions to Cherfilus-McCormick&rsquo;s 2021 congressional campaign and for the personal benefit of the defendants,&rdquo; the statement said, adding that Leblanc allegedly &ldquo;arranged for additional contributions using straw donors, funneling other monies from the FEMA-funded Covid-19 contract to friends and relatives who then donated to the campaign as if using their own money.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The indictment also charges Spencer with conspiring to file a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/florida-house-democrat-charged-with-stealing-5-million-in-fema-funds\/\" title=\"... House ... charged with stealing  million in FEMA funds\">false federal tax return<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;According to the indictment, they falsely claimed political spending and other personal expenses as business deductions and inflated charitable contributions in order to reduce her tax obligations,&rdquo; the statement said.<\/p>\n<p>Cherfilus-McCormick won a special election in 2022, completing the term of Democrat Rep. Alcee Hastings, who died in office. The seat is in Florida&rsquo;s District 20, representing Palm Beach and Broward County. She took the seat Jan. 18, 2022, was sworn in while wearing a Covid mask, and immediately started campaigning for the Nov. 2022 election. She won in November 2022 and 2024 and is running again for 2026.<\/p>\n<figure><\/figure>\n<p>Voters so far have been undeterred by her alleged crimes; the House Ethics Committee began investigating her in <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/house\/4379419-house-ethics-panel-open-investigation-into-florida-democrat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2023<\/a> in connection with campaign finance violations and expanded that investigation in <a href=\"https:\/\/floridaphoenix.com\/briefs\/house-ethics-committee-expands-investigation-into-dem-rep-sheila-cherfilus-mccormick\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<blockquote data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">With the 2 role models for our young generation of Haitian Americans. The new Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus McCormick of Florida &amp; Mia Love former Congresswoman from Utah. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/EmbassyOfHaiti?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@EmbassyOfHaiti<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/nhaeon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@nhaeon<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MiaBLove?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@MiaBLove<\/a> @RepSheilaCM <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/wvCFJlqVvw\">pic.twitter.com\/wvCFJlqVvw<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Bocchit Edmond (@BocchitEdmond) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BocchitEdmond\/status\/1487833170330349570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 30, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>While in office, she has largely advocated specifically for Haitian immigrants and is co-chair of the House Haiti <a href=\"https:\/\/cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov\/media\/press-releases\/congresswoman-sheila-cherfilus-mccormick-haiti-caucus-co-chairs-colleagues\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Caucus<\/a>. As of May 2024, Cherfilus-McCormick&rsquo;s website shows she made some 40 actions for Haiti, including &ldquo;urging the Biden Administration to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/cherfilus-mccormick.house.gov\/media\/press-releases\/congresswoman-cherfilus-mccormick-and-haiti-caucus-co-chairs-lead-letter-biden\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">redesignate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)<\/a>, pause on deportations back to Haiti, extend humanitarian parole to any Haitians currently detained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement&rsquo;s detention centers, end the detention of Haitian migrants intercepted at sea, and provide additional humanitarian assistance for Haiti.&rdquo;&#8239;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<blockquote data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick just became the second Haitian American to serve in the U.S. House. Representative Cherfilus-McCormick joined me on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/PoliticsNation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#PoliticsNation<\/a> to discuss her new role in office. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/0rNdv1X15b\">pic.twitter.com\/0rNdv1X15b<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheRevAl\/status\/1485367678755819523?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 23, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<figure>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<blockquote data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick won a Florida congressional seat by calling for a guaranteed income of $1,000 a month, an increase in the minimum wage to $20 an hour and allowing all to participate in Medicare. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TW7pricDCG\">https:\/\/t.co\/TW7pricDCG<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Tampa Bay Times (@TB_Times) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TB_Times\/status\/1483803951971672068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 19, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><\/span> <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>According to Florida Politics, Cherfilus-McCormick was CEO of Trinity Health Care Services, a home health care company, and she won the 2021 Primary Election by five votes. &ldquo;She largely self-funded her way to a win in November&rsquo;s crowded Primary Election,&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/floridapolitics.com\/archives\/485510-sheila-cherfilus-mccormick-projected-to-win-special-election-to-replace-the-late-alcee-hastings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Florida Politics<\/a> reported at the time.<\/p>\n<p>Cherfilus-McCormick has been quiet on social media in recent weeks. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,&rdquo; Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. &ldquo;No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p>      Beth Brelje is an elections correspondent for The Federalist. She is an award-winning investigative journalist with decades of media experience.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick faces 53 years for fraud<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":104,"featured_media":2512689,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Embezz.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[33926,33696,4032],"class_list":["post-2512688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-campaign-finance","tag-house-democrat","tag-indicted"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Embezz.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/104"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2512688"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512688\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2512692,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2512688\/revisions\/2512692"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2512689"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2512688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2512688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2512688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}