Overview
- Social media users pointed out that a Christmas post used a doctored version of her official portrait that no longer shows the yellow diamond ring.
- A Miami federal grand jury indicted Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother on Nov. 19 on charges tied to an alleged scheme to divert roughly $5 million in FEMA funds.
- Prosecutors allege a deliberate decimal-point error in a 2021 invoice led to the overpayment to Trinity Health Care Services, followed by laundering and illegal campaign contributions.
- The indictment says she bought a 3.14-carat “Fancy Vivid Yellow” diamond ring for about $109,000 on Sept. 1, 2021; she has denied the accusations.
- Court filings note she faces up to 53 years if convicted, has pleaded not guilty, and was released on $60,000 bond; FEC records show she loaned her 2022 campaign $6.2 million.