Overview
- Judge Enjoliqué A. Lett granted a two-week continuance on Tuesday in Miami, and no plea was entered as the arraignment was reset for Feb. 3.
- The indictment centers on roughly $5 million in FEMA overpayments to Trinity Healthcare Services tied to a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract.
- Prosecutors allege some of the money was funneled through friends and relatives into her 2021 congressional campaign and cite a roughly $100,000 diamond ring purchase.
- Her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, is charged as a co-defendant after a $50,000 request allegedly resulted in a $5 million payment that was not returned.
- Defense counsel said she is working to secure representation and prosecutors did not object to the delay; she was arrested in November, released on $60,000 bond, has limited travel, and maintains the charges are baseless.