Overview
- The judge restricted her travel to Washington, D.C., Maryland and the Eastern District of Virginia, requiring surrender of her personal passport but allowing use of a congressional passport for official duties.
- She faces a 15-count federal indictment alleging theft of government funds, money laundering, straw donor contributions and false tax statements, including related conspiracy counts.
- Prosecutors say a state-administered, FEMA-funded contract overpaid her family company by $5 million due to a clerical error, and allege the money was laundered for personal purchases and campaign support, including a costly 3-carat yellow diamond ring.
- Also charged are her brother Edwin Cherfilus, district chief of staff Nadege Leblanc and tax preparer David Spencer, who surrendered last week and appeared in court earlier.
- She has denied the allegations through her attorney and does not intend to resign, with arraignment set for Dec. 29 in Miami federal court.