U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick on Monday maintained her innocence as she appeared briefly in federal court in Miami, where she is facing charges about the alleged misuse of millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds.
The South Florida Democrat was scheduled to be arraigned, but the hearing was postponed at the request of her attorney, who said additional time was needed to complete her legal team. Prosecutors did not oppose the request, and U.S. District Judge Lisette Reid approved a new court date of Jan. 20. The proceeding lasted only a few minutes.
After leaving the courthouse, Cherfilus-McCormick addressed reporters and denied any wrongdoing.
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“I just want to make it very clear that I am innocent,” she said. “In no way did I steal any kind of funds. I’m committed to the people of Florida and my district.”
Cherfilus-McCormick has pleaded not guilty to 15 federal counts stemming from allegations that her family’s health care company improperly received millions in pandemic-related funds. Prosecutors say the payments were tied to a 2021 contract to register people for COVID-19 vaccinations.
According to the indictment, Trinity Healthcare Services, a company owned by members of her family, was supposed to receive $50,000 under the contract. Instead, it allegedly received $5 million. Authorities claim the excess funds were never returned.
Federal prosecutors allege that within two months of receiving the money, more than $100,000 was spent on a 3-carat yellow diamond ring for the congresswoman. They also say the funds were distributed to various accounts, including those belonging to friends and relatives who later donated to her congressional campaign.
Her attorney, David Oscar Markus, dismissed the case as overreach, arguing that the allegations involve administrative errors rather than criminal conduct. He said the charges are politically motivated and involve issues that would not typically rise to the level of felonies.
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Cherfilus-McCormick was arrested in November and later released on a $60,000 bond. As part of her release conditions, she was ordered to surrender her personal passport and is restricted to travel within Florida, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and the Eastern District of Virginia. She has been allowed to keep her congressional passport to fulfill official duties.
The congresswoman was elected in a January 2022 special election to represent Florida’s 20th District, which includes parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, following the death of Rep. Alcee Hastings.
The charges against her include theft of government funds, money laundering, making and receiving straw donations, filing false tax information, and conspiracy related to each count, AP reported.
In a previous statement, her chief of staff said Cherfilus-McCormick has no plans to resign and intends to continue cooperating with authorities. The statement said she has complied with “every lawful request” and will continue to do so as the case moves forward.
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