Disgraced Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigns from Congress over stealing $6 MM in COVID relief money to fund her campaign

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 22, 2026) — Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned from Congress this week as she faces a 15-count federal criminal indictment carrying a maximum sentence of 53 years in prison.

"We are pleased to see that justice will be served in this situation," said Dan Backer, president of the Coolidge Reagan Foundation. "The scope of this scheme is unprecedented, and American taxpayers should be horrified that this two-bit crook was ever allowed to serve in our nation's capital."

Last year, the Coolidge Reagan Foundation filed both an FEC complaint and a criminal referral to the Florida Attorney General against Cherfilus-McCormick for alleged fraud, embezzlement, and campaign finance violations.

The FEC complaint detailed how Cherfilus-McCormick's campaign accepted more than $150,000 in illegal, unreported in-kind contributions from the nonprofit Truth & Justice, Inc. as part of her overall $6 Million multi-entity embezzlement of covid relief funds she stole and loaned to her campaign. The "Truth & Justice" funds were used to cover printing and mailing costs her campaign could not afford, which is prohibited under federal law.

The criminal referral outlined how Cherfilus-McCormick, as CEO of Trinity Healthcare Services, exploited a state payment error to divert nearly $5 million in taxpayer funds for personal use, funneling much of it into her campaign through entities she controlled.

"These findings exposed a pattern of corruption, and now, she'll be held accountable for defrauding taxpayers and breaking federal law," Backer said. "Her resignation is proof that even she knows her conduct is indefensible – politically and legally."

For months, the political establishment tried to look the other way, but not the team at the Coolidge Reagan Foundation. We followed the money, filed complaints, and did everything we could to ensure the media knew the truth about Cherfilus-McCormick.

This shameful situation underscores the need for stronger enforcement of campaign finance laws and greater accountability for elected officials who attempt to use public office as a personal ATM.

ABOUT THE COOLIDGE REAGAN FOUNDATION

For more than a decade, the Coolidge Reagan Foundation has defended free speech, exposed corrupt politicians, and protected election integrity, ensuring America's founding principles endure. Its 2018 complaint against Hillary Clinton and the Democratic National Committee over the unlawful funding of the Steele Dossier led to a six-figure fine—the only fine ever levied against her. The foundation's 2019 complaint against Bernie Sanders for hiring illegal aliens led to a five-figure penalty, and it has fearlessly taken on the political corruption of Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cori Bush, Jasmine Crockett, and Rashida Tlaib, among others.

For more information, visit www.coolidgereagan.org.

Media contact: Ashley Losoya at ashley@prosepolitical.com.