Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., announced on Thursday that he would move to expel Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., following an indictment alleging that she used federal disaster funds for her 2021 campaign. The congressman, known for his hardline conservative views, stated that the fraudulent actions constituted an automatic disqualifier for elected office and could inflict further harm on Congress, her district, and the State of Florida.
Steube initially planned to file a motion to censure Cherfilus-McCormick but changed his mind, opting instead for expulsion. In a message posted on social media, he emphasized that the defrauding of the federal government and disaster victims of $5 million was beyond indefensible. The congressman also noted that millions of Floridians have relied on FEMA after devastating hurricanes, and that the money was intended to help real disaster victims, not politicians.
Cherfilus-McCormick responded to Steube’s initial message, calling the allegations a ‘sham’ and asserting her innocence. She stated that the timing of the indictment was suspicious and that the indictment was an attempt to distract from more pressing national issues. The congresswoman expressed confidence that the truth would prevail and that she would continue to fight for her constituents in court.
The Justice Department has detailed the nature of the indictment, which states that Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, operated a family healthcare company on a FEMA-funded contract related to the coronavirus vaccine distribution. It is alleged that they received an overpayment of $5 million and conspired to steal the money, routing it through multiple accounts to disguise its source. Prosecutors claim that a significant portion of the stolen funds was used as candidate contributions for Cherfilus-McCormick’s 2021 campaign and for personal benefit.
Cherfilus-McCormick is also accused of working with her 2021 tax preparer, David K. Spencer, to file a false tax return, falsely claiming political spending and other personal expenses as business deductions and inflating charitable contributions to reduce her tax obligations. The allegations highlight the misuse of public funds and have drawn condemnation from federal officials, including Florida’s Attorney General Pam Bondi, who called the alleged crime ‘particularly selfish’ and ‘cynical.’
According to prosecutors, if convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick could face up to 53 years in prison, while her brother faces up to 35 years, Nadege Leblanc up to 10 years, and Spencer up to 33 years. The indictment has also received attention from various media outlets, highlighting the seriousness of the case and the potential implications for public trust in elected officials. As the situation develops, it is likely to have significant political and financial repercussions, both for the individual implicated and for the broader political landscape.