Overview
- Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick’s Christmas post on X used her official portrait, but the yellow diamond ring visible in the original image was missing.
- X added a Community Note stating the portrait had been altered to remove a ring prosecutors allege was bought with $109,000 tied to stolen FEMA funds.
- Her chief of staff said the change was a staff-level decision made without the congresswoman’s approval and should not have occurred.
- A Miami federal grand jury indicted Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother over an alleged $5 million FEMA overpayment laundered through accounts for campaign and personal use.
- The indictment cites a Sept. 1, 2021 cashier’s-check purchase of a 3.14-carat yellow diamond ring; she has pleaded not guilty, is free on a $60,000 bond, and faces up to 53 years if convicted.