Tag Archives: Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus McCormick Charged with Stealing $5 Million in FEMA Funds and Making Illegal Campaign Contributions

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Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for stealing COVID relief (PPP) funds and using them for her campaign. The allegations came to light years ago when Cherfilus-McCormick upset Dale Holness in the race to replace Congressman Alcee Hastings. A Congressional report revealed investigators used REDBROWARD to guide them through her web of corporations and operatives. The same report showed Cherfilus-McCormick believed Holness and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz were behind the investigation.

“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “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.”

More to come.

Here is the press release from the United States Attorney:

MIAMI – A federal grand jury in Miami has returned an indictment charging Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and several co-defendants with stealing federal disaster funds, laundering the proceeds, and using the money to support her 2021 congressional campaign.

According to the indictment, Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and her brother Edwin Cherfilus, 51, both of Miramar, worked through their family health-care company on a FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract in 2021. In July 2021, the company received an overpayment of $5 million in FEMA funds.

The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to steal that $5 million and routed it through multiple accounts to disguise its source. Prosecutors allege that a substantial portion of the misappropriated funds was used as candidate contributions to Cherfilus-McCormick’s 2021 congressional campaign and for the personal benefit of the defendants.

The indictment further alleges that Cherfilus-McCormick and Nadege Leblanc, 46, of Miramar, arranged 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.

The indictment also charges Cherfilus-McCormick and her 2021 tax preparer David K. Spencer, 41, of Davie, with conspiring to file a false federal tax return. 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.

“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “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.”

U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida stated, “Today’s indictment shows no one is above the law. This indictment reflects our Office’s commitment to follow the facts, apply the law, and protect the American taxpayer. Public money belongs to the American people. When FEMA funds are diverted for personal or political gain, it erodes trust and harms us all. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that American taxpayer dollars are used as intended and that the public’s trust is safeguarded.”

If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison. Edwin Cherfilus faces up to 35 years, Leblanc up to 10 years, and Spencer up to 33 years.
U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones; Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Ronald A. Loecker of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Florida Field Office, made the announcement.

FBI Miami and the IRS-CI Florida Field Office are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alejandra L. López and Yeney Hernández and DOJ Criminal Division Trial Attorney John P. Taddei are prosecuting the case.

Broward High School Band Performance At Kamala Harris Event Was Not Approved By District Officials

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Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus McCormick cheers on the Boyd Anderson High School Band

The appearance of the Boyd Anderson High School Band at this week’s Kamala Harris event in Hallandale Beach violated Broward School district policy regarding political events. Wednesday’s rally was a Democrat Party get out the vote (GOTV) event featuring Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and other Democrat elected officials. Those wishing to attend the event were required to provide their personal information to the Party.

Traveling as a campaign surrogate for his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris, Emhoff heaped praise upon the Boyd Anderson band.

The Sun-Sentinel reported, “Music, played after each speaker, was provided by the Boyd Anderson High School marching band. Emhoff said if he could, he’d have the band travel with him providing musical support across the country for the final stretch of the campaign.”

Accordingly to the Miami New Times, “The modest crowd was somewhat dwarfed by the Costco-esque surroundings and, at least early on, by the Boyd Anderson High School Cobras Marching Band from Lauderdale Lakes, 15 miles to the north. Their repertoire varied from country hits to Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” to almost the entirety of Beyoncé’s Renaissance album, with Motown favorites from the likes of Stevie Wonder and the Jackson 5 filling in the gaps.”

A Broward School District spokesman told REDBROWARD the band’s performance was not approved by the principal:

“After becoming aware of the situation, speaking with school leadership, and conducting a review, we do not believe there was intent to violate any laws or school board policies. The principal did not approve or was aware of student and/or staff participation. The uniforms in question were retired and no longer used at the school. However, appropriate administrative actions will be taken.”

This is not the first time the Boyd Anderson High School Band appeared at a local Democrat event.

Social media posts by local politicians in February 2023 show the band and a cheer group performed at a Broward Black Democratic Caucus event.

Earlier this week, REDBROWARD reported on campaign banners hanging outside Plantation elementary schools.

Two political banners promoting the campaign of Plantation City Councilman Louis Reinstein were hanging at the entrances of Plantation Park and Peters Elementary schools.

Reinstein, a Democrat, is seeking re-election to the Group 5 seat on the City Council.

The political banner with Reinstein’s face was placed at the entrance of Peters Elementary School. The large banner said “Councilmember Louis Reinstein supports Peters Elementary.” In smaller print is the standard disclaimer all candidates must use on campaign materials:

“POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT PAID FOR AND APPROVED BY CAMPAIGN TO RE-ELECT LOUIS REINSTEIN FOR PLANTATION CITY COUNCIL, GROUP 5, NON-PARTISAN.”

According to the Peters Elementary School PTA website, sponsors must pay $375 to hang a large banner on the school fence.

Another banner promoting the Louis Reinstein campaign was hangng on the fence surrounding nearby Plantation Park Elementary School. 

On this banner, Reinstein was labeled as a “gold sponsor” who supports Plantation Park Elementary.

This banner also included the standard campaign disclaimer.

Reinstein’s opponent, Republican H. Wayne Clark, did not have any banners hanging outside Plantation elementary schools.

After inquiring with the District about the signs, a spokesman told REDBROWARD the signs “are being removed as we speak” and there will be an investigation into how they were allowed in the first place.

How do Broward schools and students keep getting used by Democrat campaigns?

Louis Reinstein, Democrat seeking re-election to Plantation City Council Group 5