Who is Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, charged with stealing FEMA funds?

March 26, 2026

TL;DR

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is facing a public ethics hearing concerning allegations of a multimillion-dollar laundering scheme involving FEMA funds.
The House Ethics Committee will decide if the accusations, including stealing $5 million in FEMA funds and rerouting them to her campaign, could lead to her expulsion.
Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, were charged by the Justice Department for allegedly stealing FEMA funds meant for COVID-19 vaccinations and using them for her campaign and personal expenses, such as a diamond ring.
The congresswoman denies all charges, claiming they are politically motivated, and has pleaded not guilty.
The Ethics Committee's investigation found substantial evidence of 27 ethics violations.
The committee also found that Cherfilus-McCormick's campaign illegally accepted over $800,000 from a Haitian oil company and used outside groups run by friends and family for funding.
Leading Democrats are urging a presumption of innocence while acknowledging the potential for resignation or expulsion depending on the hearing's outcome.

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