Democrat Who Resigned From Congress Insists She's Strongest Candidate in the Race' Despite Legal Bills Wiping Out Her Funds

"Last month, the House Ethics Committee found that Cherfilus-McCormick was guilty of 25 out of 27 counts of embezzling funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that were intended for Covid-19 vaccination programs. She had been accused of improperly funneling $5 million through a health care company she and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, ran, using the money for her personal use and to bankroll her congressional campaign. The siblings were indicted by the Department of Justice in November for their scheme."

"Cherfilus-McCormick was charged with fifteen charges including theft, money laundering, illegal campaign contributions, and filing a false tax return. She faces up to 53 years in prison, according to a DOJ press release. Cherfilus-McCormick has denied wrongdoing, pleading not guilty to the federal charges against her and maintaining that the House Ethics Committee's hearing was not a fair process and a witch hunt."

"Nonetheless, she announced in April that she was resigning from Congress, just hours before the House had scheduled an expulsion vote that was widely expected to succeed. Four days before her resignation, Cherfilus-McCormick filed her re-election paperwork with the Florida Division of Elections, and was defiantly optimistic about her chances when interviewed by the South Florida Sun Sentinel at a gathering of Broward County Democratic clubs on Monday."

"Florida's 20th congressional district was reconfigured along with the rest of the state by a redistricting bill pushed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and passed by the GOP majority legislature during a special session in late April. Longtime Florida Democratic power player Rep. Debbie"

Former Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick remains optimistic about winning re-election after resigning less than a month earlier amid a scandal. The House Ethics Committee found her guilty on 25 of 27 counts involving embezzling FEMA funds meant for Covid-19 vaccination programs. Federal prosecutors alleged she and her brother improperly funneled $5 million through a health care company they ran, using money for personal use and to support her campaign. She was indicted in November and charged with theft, money laundering, illegal campaign contributions, and a false tax return, facing up to 53 years in prison. She denied wrongdoing, pleaded not guilty, and criticized the ethics process as unfair. She filed re-election paperwork shortly before resigning and said she was confident about her chances in interviews.

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