Democrats Stay Mum On Keeping Indicted Lawmaker’s Campaign Cash

Democratic Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick shelled out thousands of dollars to Democratic candidates and affiliated groups, but the recipients are staying mum about the donations following a bombshell indictment alleging her campaign used stolen disaster relief funds.

Cherfilus-McCormick, an embattled lawmaker first elected to the House in a 2021 special election, is facing up to 53 years in prison for allegedly stealing $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) overpayments among other charges. A recent House ethics subcommittee report found that a “substantial amount” of the funds were laundered in support of her 2021 special election campaign and subsequent 2022 reelection bid. (RELATED: Indicted Democrat Touts Pelosi’s Support In Reelection Bid — But She Hasn’t Endorsed Her In Years)

Federal prosecutors allege that millions of stolen funds were rerouted from Trinity Health Care Services, Cherfilus-McCormick’s company, to her campaign account during her 2021 campaign to replace Democratic Rep. Alcee Hastings, who died in office. It is possible that some of the Florida Democrat’s contributions to Democrats — mostly Black women running for federal office — may have drawn from the fraudulent stockpile.

In January 2022, former Democratic Florida Rep. Val Demings received a donation of $5,800 from Cherfilus-McCormick in support of her Senate run — the same month Cherfilus-McCormick was elected to Washington in a special election. Then-Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio went on to trounce Demings in the general election to win his third term in office.

In April 2022, Cherfilus-McCormick donated $5,000 to Democratic Ohio Rep. Shontel Brown, who was vying in a competitive primary against far-left former State Sen. Nina Turner for the party’s nomination. Brown comfortably defeated Turner in the rematch contest.

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

Spokespersons for Brown, Lee and Demings did not respond to requests for comment.

Cherfilus-McCormick contributed $5,000 to the Democratic Executive Committee of Florida, the governing body of the state’s Democratic Party, in July 2022. The Florida Democratic Party also received a $550 donation from Cherfilus-McCormick in July 2025, according to FEC filings.

The Palm Beach Democratic Party received a total of $3,000 from Cherfilus-McCormick between December 2021 and February 2022. Protecting Democracy PAC, the Florida congresswoman’s affiliated leadership PAC, also doled out $5,000 to the Palm Beach Democratic Party in October 2022.

The Florida Democratic Party and Palm Beach Democratic Party did not respond to requests for comment.

Cherfilus-McCormick is running for another third full term in November’s midterm elections, but it is unclear whether she will advance out of a crowded August 2026 primary. Left-wing activist Elijah Manley, 27, former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness and rapper Luther Campbell, known as Uncle Luke, are vying to unseat Cherfilus-McCormick in the deep-blue district.

Cherfilus-McCormick’s campaign website notably touts former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s support despite the one-time top Democrat not endorsing the indicted lawmaker in several years.

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

Cherfilus-McCormick used some of the allegedly stolen funds on luxury personal items, including a Tesla, jewelry from Tiffany’s and designer clothing, according to the House investigative subcommittee.

House Democratic leadership has not demanded her resignation despite a fast-approaching ethics hearing scheduled for March 5.

A spokesperson for Cherfilus-McCormick did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Andi Shae Napier contributed to this report.

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