U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has reiterated her innocence after appearing briefly in federal court in Miami, where she faces charges of conspiring to steal five million dollars in COVID-19 disaster funds.
The Democratic lawmaker pleaded not guilty, and her arraignment was postponed until January twentieth to allow her to finalize her legal team. Cherfilus-McCormick says she did not steal any funds and called the case politically motivated.
Prosecutors allege money meant for pandemic vaccination services was wrongly kept by her family’s healthcare company and used for personal expenses and campaign donations. She was arrested in November, released on bond, and has surrendered her personal passport.
Despite the charges, Cherfilus-McCormick says she will not resign and will continue serving Florida’s twentieth congressional district.
Florida Congresswoman Denies COVID Fund Theft Charges
