need to know
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Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted in November for allegedly stealing millions in disaster relief funds and using the funds for personal purchases, including a $100,000 ring
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After the congresswoman shared a portrait of herself on Christmas Day, social media users noticed that the ring had been removed from the previously shared photo
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A representative for Chelfiles-McCormick said in a statement that the decision to edit the photo “was not directed, approved or authorized by this politician”
After a Florida congresswoman shared a likeness of herself in a holiday greeting, social media users were quick to notice that a ring — allegedly paid for with money stolen from a rescue fund — had been removed.
Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who represents Florida’s 20th Congressional District, shared the message on
In response, user X pointed out that a previously released version of the image showed the congresswoman wearing a ring on one of her fingers. “What happened to your ring?” and “Where is the ring you bought with the stolen money?” were some of the responses sent to Cherfilus-McCormick.
According to CBS 12 and miami new times. The purported purchases included $100,000 worth of jewelry.
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfelers-McCormick/X
Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick’s Christmas 2025 Post
“This action was not directed, approved or authorized by the congresswoman,” Cherfelers-McCormick’s chief of staff Naomi Pierre-Louis told CBS 12 in a statement after the new photos were released.
“This was a staff-level decision made by a well-intentioned individual to protect the member’s reputation. It was unauthorized and should not have happened,” she continued. “This photo is the Congresswoman’s official portrait and she has no intention, now or in the future, to alter or edit it.”
Pierre-Louis did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Saturday, December 27.
United States House of Representatives
Official portrait of Congresswoman Sheila Cherfelers-McCormick
In November, a federal grand jury indicted Cherfilus-McCormick, accusing her of stealing federal disaster relief funds.
According to reports, the politician allegedly purchased the 3.14-carat yellow diamond ring using a $109,000 cashier’s check in New York in September 2021. miami new timeswhich cited the indictment.
The store also consulted a Tiffany & Co. account advisor, who determined the fireworks were two rings from the luxury jeweler based on a photo. “It appears to be a Tiffany fancy yellow single row ring and a Victorian band ring,” the consultant told miami new times.
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Joe Cavarretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Sheila Cherfelers-McCormick, January 2025
The federal indictment accuses Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother of embezzling $5 million in FEMA relief funds intended for the COVID-19 response, CBS 12 reported.
The indictment alleges that the funds were accidentally overpaid to her family business in 2021 by CBS 12 and were laundered through multiple accounts and then used for her 2022 congressional campaign as well as personal expenses including a ring. miami new times.
According to CBS 12, citing court records, Chelsea McCormick was charged with theft of government funds, false tax returns, conspiracy and other crimes.
She faces a total of 15 federal charges and could face up to 53 years in prison if convicted, the outlet reported.
The congresswoman turned herself in to authorities in Miami on November 25 and was later released on bail, CBS 12 reported. She has pleaded not guilty.
She is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, December 29.
Read the original article on People