MIAMI (AP) — U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick reiterated her innocence Monday outside a Miami federal courthouse, where she faces charges of conspiring to steal $5 million in federal COVID-19 disaster funds.
Cherfilus-McCormick was scheduled to be arraigned, but her attorney requested a rescheduling to Jan. 20 for finalizing her legal team. The judge granted the request, resulting in a court hearing that lasted less than five minutes.
“I just want to make it very clear that I am innocent,” Cherfilus-McCormick stated immediately after exiting the court. “In no way did I steal any kind of funds. I’m committed to the people of Florida and my district.”
Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, has pleaded not guilty to 15 federal counts accusing her of stealing funds overpaid to her family’s health care company, Trinity Healthcare Services, which had a contract for COVID-19 vaccinations.
Her attorney, David Oscar Markus, argued that the case is politically motivated and claims that it involves mistakes typically classified as misdemeanors, not felonies.
Arrested in November, Cherfilus-McCormick was released on a $60,000 bond, with conditions including the surrendering of her personal passport. She is restricted to travel within Florida, Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
Federal prosecutors allege that within two months of receiving the funding, Cherfilus-McCormick spent over $100,000 on luxury goods, including a yellow diamond ring. The funds from Trinity Healthcare reportedly were funneled to various accounts linked to her campaign contributors.
Despite these serious allegations, Cherfilus-McCormick, who secured election to Florida's 20th District in January 2022, does not intend to resign from her position. According to her chief of staff, she plans to continue cooperating fully with authorities.
