Democrats Keep Mum On Maintaining Indicted Lawmaker's Marketing campaign Money

Democratic Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick shelled out 1000’s of {dollars} to Democratic candidates and affiliated teams, however the recipients are staying mum in regards to the donations following a bombshell indictment alleging her marketing campaign used stolen catastrophe reduction funds.

Cherfilus-McCormick, an embattled lawmaker first elected to the Home in a January 2022 particular election, is dealing with as much as 53 years in jail for allegedly stealing $5 million in Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA) overpayments amongst different prices. A current Home ethics subcommittee report discovered {that a} “substantial quantity” of the funds had been laundered in help of her particular election marketing campaign and subsequent November 2022 reelection bid. (RELATED: Indicted Democrat Touts Pelosi’s Help In Reelection Bid — However She Hasn’t Endorsed Her In Years)

Federal prosecutors allege that thousands and thousands of stolen funds had been rerouted from Trinity Well being Care Providers, Cherfilus-McCormick’s firm, to her marketing campaign account throughout her particular election marketing campaign to interchange Democratic Rep. Alcee Hastings, who died in workplace. It’s attainable that a few of the Florida Democrat’s contributions to Democrats — largely Black ladies operating for federal workplace — might have drawn from the fraudulent stockpile.

In January 2022, former Democratic Florida Rep. Val Demings acquired a donation of $5,800 from Cherfilus-McCormick in help of her Senate run — the identical month Cherfilus-McCormick was elected to Washington in a particular election. Then-Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio went on to trounce Demings within the normal election to win his third time period in workplace.

In April 2022, Cherfilus-McCormick donated $5,000 to Democratic Ohio Rep. Shontel Brown, who was vying in a aggressive main towards far-left former State Sen. Nina Turner for the get together’s nomination. Brown comfortably defeated Turner within the rematch contest.

Cherfilus-McCormick’s marketing campaign account additionally contributed $1,000 to the failed Senate marketing campaign of now-Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee in March 2024, in accordance with Federal Election Fee (FEC) filings.

Spokespersons for Brown, Lee and Demings didn’t reply to requests for remark.

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 28: Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH) speaks throughout a press convention within the O’Neill Home Workplace Constructing on February 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photograph by Samuel Corum/Getty Pictures)

Cherfilus-McCormick contributed $5,000 to the Democratic Government Committee of Florida, the governing physique of the state’s Democratic Occasion, in July 2022. The Florida Democratic Occasion additionally acquired a $550 donation from Cherfilus-McCormick in July 2025, in accordance with FEC filings.

The Palm Seaside Democratic Occasion acquired a complete of $3,000 from Cherfilus-McCormick between December 2021 and February 2022. Defending Democracy PAC, the Florida congresswoman’s affiliated management PAC, additionally doled out $5,000 to the Palm Seaside Democratic Occasion in October 2022.

The Florida Democratic Occasion and Palm Seaside Democratic Occasion didn’t reply to requests for remark.

Cherfilus-McCormick is operating for one more third full time period in November’s midterm elections, however it’s unclear whether or not she’s going to advance out of a crowded August 2026 main. Left-wing activist Elijah Manley, 27, former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness and rapper Luther Campbell, generally known as Uncle Luke, are vying to unseat Cherfilus-McCormick within the deep-blue district.

Cherfilus-McCormick’s marketing campaign web site notably touts former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s help regardless of the one-time high Democrat not endorsing the indicted lawmaker in a number of years.

The Florida Democrat has additionally been charged with taking part in a straw donor scheme and conspiring to file a false federal tax return. She has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not responsible to the 15-count indictment.

Cherfilus-McCormick used a few of the allegedly stolen funds on luxurious private gadgets, together with a Tesla, jewellery from Tiffany’s and designer clothes, in accordance with the Home investigative subcommittee.

Home Democratic management has not demanded her resignation regardless of a fast-approaching ethics listening to scheduled for March 5.

A spokesperson for Cherfilus-McCormick didn’t reply to a number of requests for remark.

Andi Shae Napier contributed to this report.

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