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4d ago

Edited Holiday Portrait of Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Draws X Note Over Missing $109,000 Ring

Her office says a staffer made the unauthorized change ahead of her Dec. 29 arraignment.

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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 28: (L-R) Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, and Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick attend the Women of Impact Celebration hosted by ELLE at Ciel Social Club on April 28, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for ELLE)
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Overview

  • Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick’s Christmas post reused her official portrait, but the yellow diamond ring visible in the unedited version does not appear in the new image.
  • Users on X added a community note stating the photo had been altered to remove a ring prosecutors say was bought for $109,000 using funds tied to the federal case.
  • The Florida Democrat was indicted Nov. 19 on 15 counts alleging roughly $5 million in FEMA money was diverted through family-controlled accounts into her 2021 campaign and personal purchases.
  • Charging documents cite a Sept. 1, 2021 cashier’s check for a 3.14-carat Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond ring; media have reported the portrait jewelry resembles Tiffany & Co. designs.
  • Cherfilus-McCormick has pleaded not guilty and was released on $60,000 bond, and her chief of staff told CBS12 the image edit was a staff-level decision made without the congresswoman’s authorization.