Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

A Florida congresswoman charged with conspiring to steal $5 million in federal COVID-19 disaster funds has formally pleaded not guilty nearly three months after her indictment. U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was not present for Tuesday's arraignment in Miami federal court, but her attorney, William Barzee, entered the plea on her behalf.

State officials said the action is being taken to prevent a shortfall of more than $120 million in the statewide prescription medication program for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS.

A federal judge in Miami has rescheduled a hearing for a South Florida congresswoman charged with conspiring to steal $5 million in federal COVID-19 disaster funds. Judge Enjoliqué A. Lett granted U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick two more weeks to finalize her legal team, moving the arraignment to Feb. 3.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has reiterated her innocence outside a Miami federal courthouse, where she faces charges of conspiring to steal $5 million in federal COVID-19 disaster funds. Cherfilus-McCormick was scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, but her attorney requested the proceeding be rescheduled to Jan. 20 so that she could finalize her legal team.

The Democratic congresswoman's federal indictment for campaign fraud could lead to 53 years in prison. It is rooted in her successful campaign to win a 2021 special election for the seat of longtime incumbent Alcee Hastings - after losing in two previous primaries against him. The difference for Cherfilus-McCormick in 2021: Money. Lots of money.

A federal judge in Miami has set a $60,000 bond for U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. She's facing charges of conspiring to steal $5 million in federal disaster funds meant to combat COVID-19 in 2021.

Embattled South Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who was indicted Thursday in Miami federal court for stealing $5 million in federal funds and campaign fraud, called the investigation a “sham,” “unjust” and “baseless.”

A Miami federal grand jury returned an indictment against South Florida Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and several co-defendants, alleging that she and the others stole federal disaster funds, laundered the proceeds, and used the cash to support her 2021 congressional election campaign, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.

Even before the federal government shut down Wednesday, Democratic and Republican lawmakers in South Florida were engaging in partisan finger pointing on who's to blame for the legislative standoff.

The eight Democrats said Thursday they introduced the “No Cages in the Everglades Act." The bill faces long odds of passage in the House, where Republicans hold a 220-212 majority.

Many South Florida immigrants fear President Donald Trump’s deportation policy. One reason: the facilities where they will likely be detained have been buffeted by decades of documented violence, sexual abuse and human rights violations.

In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the lawmakers say gangs, including the Viv Ansanm coalition, control over 85% of the capital city of Port-au-Prince “and are rapidly expanding into previously stable areas.”