Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Indicted for $5 Million FEMA Funds Theft | Some Facts
Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has been indicted in a major federal case. Prosecutors say she stole $5 million in FEMA disaster funds during the pandemic. The money was meant to support COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Instead, officials claim it was moved through hidden accounts and used to help fund her 2021 campaign. This case has shaken Florida politics and raised new questions about fraud in pandemic relief programs.
A Simple Breakdown of the Charges
What Prosecutors Claim
- Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick used her family’s healthcare company, Trinity Healthcare Services, to overbill FEMA.
- The company allegedly kept $5 million it should have returned.
- The money was then routed through several accounts to hide where it came from.
- A large part of the funds was allegedly used as illegal campaign donations.
- Friends and family were used as “straw donors” to disguise the source of the money.
- False tax returns were also filed to reduce her tax bill.
Who Is Charged and What They Face
- Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick: Up to 53 years in prison
- Edwin Cherfilus (her brother): Up to 35 years
- Nadege Leblanc: Up to 10 years
- David K. Spencer (her tax preparer): Up to 33 years
The FBI’s Miami office led the investigation, with federal prosecutors promising a full and fair trial.
How the Scheme Worked
- FEMA paid Trinity Healthcare to provide staff for COVID-19 vaccination sites.
- Trinity got millions more than it should have.
- Instead of returning the overpayment, the money was kept.
- The funds were moved through shell accounts to hide the trail.
- Some of this money was turned into campaign donations for Cherfilus-McCormick.
- Fake donor names were used to avoid getting caught.
- A false tax return was filed to hide personal and political expenses.
Who is Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick?
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was born in Brooklyn in 1979. She grew up in a Haitian-American family and moved to Florida at age 13. She attended Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School and later studied Political Science at Howard University.
She earned her law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami in 2010. After the passing of her stepfather, she became CEO of Trinity Healthcare Services in 2014.
She married Corlie McCormick in 2017, and they have two children. Her public image has long highlighted her identity as a mother, wife, and community advocate.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick – Full Personal Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick |
| Birth Name | Sheila Cherfilus |
| Date of Birth | January 25, 1979 |
| Age | 46 years old |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. (Raised in Queens) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity / Heritage | Haitian-American |
| Religion | Protestant |
| Residence | Miramar, Florida, U.S. |
| Parents | Father: Michel Cherfilus (Entrepreneur) Mother: Marie Cherfilus |
| Siblings | She has multiple siblings (names not publicly disclosed) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Corlie McCormick (Married in 2017) |
| Children | 2 children |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (approx.) |
| Weight | 65–70 kg (approx.) |
| Hobbies | Community work, volunteering, reading policy/legal books, mentoring youth |
| Education | B.A. in Political Science – Howard University J.D. – St. Thomas University School of Law |
| Early Career | Project Manager, NYC Transit Authority |
| Family Business Role | VP of Operations (1999–2007); later CEO of Trinity Health Care Services |
| Political Party | Democratic Party |
| Current Position | U.S. Representative for Florida’s 20th District |
| Assumed Office | January 18, 2022 |
| Preceded By | Alcee Hastings |
| Congressional Caucuses | Congressional Black Caucus, Progressive Caucus, LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus, Ukraine Caucus, ERA Caucus |
| Committees | House Committee on Foreign Affairs; House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs |
| Political Priorities | Medicare for All, Green New Deal, UBI, housing affordability, social justice |
| Voice Recording | Public recording from 2022 (discussing senior issues) |
| Notable Firsts | First Haitian-American Democrat in Congress; Second Haitian-American in Congress overall |
| Legal Issues | House Ethics investigation (since 2023) Sued for $5.8M pandemic billing case (2024–2025) Federal indictment (Nov 2025) for alleged $5M FEMA funds theft |
| Possible Prison Sentence (if convicted) | Up to 53 years |
Rise in Politics
Cherfilus-McCormick won a special election in 2021 to replace the late Rep. Alcee Hastings. She became the first Haitian-American woman in Congress, representing Florida’s 20th District.
She built her political brand on:
- Healthcare access
- Support for Haitian-American families
- Maternal health
- Economic justice
But questions about her family business grew over time. Federal investigators and state officials began reviewing Trinity Healthcare’s government payments as early as 2024.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Net Worth
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million as of late 2025. The exact amount is not clear because she is facing federal investigations and her financial records are limited. Most of her money comes from Trinity Healthcare Services, her family’s home-health business. She became CEO in 1999. In 2021, she earned $5.75 million from the company through consulting fees and profit-sharing. That year, her income reportedly increased by $6 million, mostly from COVID-19 contracts.
As a member of Congress, she earns a salary of $174,000 per year. She also owns real estate, including a home in Miramar and another property in Maryland linked to her husband. Public filings from 2023 show that her assets are likely in the low seven-figure range.
In November 2025, The state of Florida also filed a $5.8 million lawsuit against her company for overcharging during the pandemic. These cases could increase or decrease her net worth depending on the outcome. Many critics question how she made so much money while facing ethics investigations. According to Quiver Quantitative, her estimated net worth is about US$115,500.
How Washington and Florida Are Reacting
Democrats
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said she is “innocent until proven guilty” but noted that the party is watching the case closely.
Republicans
Florida GOP leaders say the case shows the need for stronger ethics rules. Many are using the news to target Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Social Media
Platforms like X (Twitter) exploded with criticism. Users from both political sides expressed anger about the misuse of COVID-19 funds.
Her Lawyers
Her legal team denies all accusations and says the charges are “baseless.” They claim she will fight the case in court.
Why This Case Matters
This scandal is part of a larger pattern of COVID-19 relief fraud. The DOJ has found billions in misused funds since 2020. But this case stands out because it involves a sitting member of Congress.
Experts warn that scandals like this harm public trust, especially in disaster aid programs. Florida, which depends heavily on FEMA during hurricanes, may feel the impact even more.
What Happens Next?
Cherfilus-McCormick is set to appear in federal court on December 5.
The case may involve:
- Financial records
- Witness statements from former Trinity employees
- Detailed tracking of the $5 million
- Testimony about campaign finance laws
If pressure grows, she may have to resign, triggering another special election in her district.
Conclusion
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick’s story is changing fast. Once known as a rising political leader, she is now facing one of the biggest corruption cases in recent congressional history. South Florida is watching closely as federal prosecutors prepare for court and more details come to light.
