Arraignment Rescheduled for Florida Congresswoman Facing $5 Million COVID Relief Fraud Charges
Miami, Tuesday, 30 December 2025.
Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick’s arraignment for allegedly diverting $5 million in COVID-19 relief funds—partially for a diamond ring—is delayed to January 20, as her defense alleges political targeting.
Procedural Delay in Federal Court
On Monday, December 29, 2025, U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisette Reid granted the request to postpone the proceedings during a brief hearing at the C. Clyde Atkins U.S. Courthouse in Miami that lasted less than five minutes [3][5]. The arraignment, originally set for that morning, has been rescheduled to January 20, 2026 [3]. The delay was approved to provide Cherfilus-McCormick’s attorney, David Markus, sufficient time to make permanent arrangements to join the defense team [2]. The Congresswoman, who was arrested in November 2025 and subsequently released on a $60,000 bond, appeared in court as her legal team navigates the logistical complexities of the high-profile case [3].
Anatomy of the Alleged Financial Scheme
The prosecution’s case rests on a massive discrepancy in payments made to Trinity Healthcare Services, a company linked to the representative’s family. While the company reportedly delivered services worth exactly $50,578.50 during the COVID-19 pandemic, a clerical error by the Florida Division of Emergency Management resulted in a transfer of over $5 million to the entity [2]. Prosecutors allege that rather than returning the excess taxpayer funds, the Congresswoman and her co-conspirators engaged in a scheme to divert the money for personal and political gain [2][3]. This alleged misappropriation occurred despite the state of Florida suing Trinity Healthcare a year prior to recover the overpayment [2].
Political Fallout and Defense Strategy
Cherfilus-McCormick faces a potential maximum sentence of 53 years in prison if convicted on all counts [2]. Her defense has adopted a combative political stance; attorney David Markus has publicly accused “folks within the Florida Democratic Party” of orchestrating the charges against his client [2][5]. The Congresswoman remains defiant, stating, “In no way did I steal any kind of funds,” and emphasizing her commitment to fighting the charges in court [2][3]. Despite these assertions, Democratic leadership has already removed her from her ranking member position on the Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa [2].