Another hearing delay for a Florida congresswoman accused of stealing COVID-19 funds
January 20, 2026
A federal judge in Miami has rescheduled a hearing for a Florida congresswoman charged with conspiring to steal $5 million in federal COVID-19 disaster funds. Judge Enjoliqué A. Lett granted U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick two more weeks to finalize her legal team, moving the arraignment to Feb. 3. Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, has pleaded not guilty to 15 federal counts, including theft of government funds and money laundering. She was arrested in November and released on a $60,000 bond. Prosecutors allege the funds were misused, including a purchase of a 3-carat yellow diamond ring.