An image shared on Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick’s X account has sparked backlash after a ring, allegedly bought with stolen funds, was edited out.
Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, was indicted last month over accusations she stole federal disaster funds, laundered the cash, and used the money to support her 2021 congressional campaign.
Highlights
- Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick faced backlash after a ring was digitally removed from her holiday photo on X.
- Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted for allegedly stealing $5 million in FEMA disaster funds linked to her family’s healthcare company.
- She reportedly used stolen FEMA funds to buy a $109,000 yellow diamond ring, visible in her official House portrait.
The allegations relate to an overpayment of $5 million in FEMA funds to her family health-care company, Trinity Healthcare Services in July 2021.
A photo of Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was edited to remove a ring
Image credits: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Cherfilus-McCormick allegedly used some of that cash to purchase a $109,000 3.14-carat yellow diamond ring using a cashier’s check in New York.
Despite the ring being on her finger in her official House portrait, it was nowhere to be seen when that portrait was shared on her official X account on Christmas.
“From my family to yours, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a joyful, safe holiday season,” the post read.
It has since been handed a community note on the platform, which reads, “This portrait of Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick has been altered to remove a ring off of her left hand that she bought using $109K of stolen FEMA funds.”
Image credits: Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
Social media users were also quick to comment on the post, questioning where the ring had gone and sharing the original image.
“Where is the ring you bought with stolen funds?” one user wrote.
Another added, “LMAO. She magic erased the ring she spent $109k in stolen FEMA funds on.”
“Your photoshop skills are lacking,” a third posted.
In response to the controversy, Cherfilus-McCormick’s chief of staff, Naomie Pierre-Louis, confirmed to CBS 12 the image had been edited, but said Cherfilus-McCormick had not approved it.
“This action was not directed, approved, or authorized by the Congresswoman,” Pierre-Louis said.
Image credits: Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
“It was a staff-level decision made by well-intentioned individuals seeking to protect the Member’s reputation. It was unauthorized and should not have occurred.
“The image is the Congresswoman’s official portrait, and she has no intention of altering or editing it now or in the future.”
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother Edwin Cherfilus, 51, worked through their family health-care company on a FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract in 2021.
The indictment alleges that they conspired to steal a $5 million overpayment made to the company 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, as well as for the personal benefit of her and her brother.
Cherfilus-McCormick has denied the charges against her
The indictment further alleges that Cherfilus-McCormick and Nadege Leblanc, 46, 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.
“Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said last month.
“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.”
Cherfilus-McCormick is facing 15 federal charges, including theft of government funds, money laundering, straw donor campaign contributions, false tax statements, and conspiracy, according to court records.
On November 25, she surrendered to authorities and was released on a $60,000 bond, as per CBS 12, and was ordered to hand over her personal passport.
“We spent all week seeing different members getting censured, all in hopes of intimidating and kind of distracting from the Epstein files,” she said. “And I look forward to my day in court so I can prove myself and actually state the truth.”
Cherfilus-McCormick has pleaded not guilty and was scheduled to be arraigned in a Miami federal court on Monday, December 29.
If convicted, she faces up to 53 years in prison.