"Cherfilus-McCormick was scheduled to be arraigned, but her attorney requested the proceeding be rescheduled to Jan. 20 so that she could finalize her legal team. Prosecutors didn't object, and Judge Lisette Reid agreed to the new date. The hearing lasted less than five minutes. Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, has pleaded not guilty. She is facing 15 federal counts that accuse her of stealing funds that had been overpaid to her family's health care company, Trinity Healthcare Services, in 2021. The company had a contract to register people for COVID-19 vaccinations."
"Cherfilus-McCormick's attorney, David Oscar Markus, said the case involves mistakes that generally aren't even misdemeanors, let alone felonies. He said he believes the case is politically motivated. Cherfilus-McCormick was arrested in November and then freed on a $60,000 bond. In addition to bail, the judge said Cherfilus-McCormick must surrender her personal passport, and is allowed to travel only between Florida, Washington, D.C., Maryland and the Eastern District of Virginia. She has been allowed to retain her congressional passport so she can perform certain duties for her job. According to the federal indictment, prosecutors said that within two months of receiving the funds in 2021, more than $100,000 had been spent on a 3-carat yellow diamond ring for the congresswoman."
U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick faces 15 federal counts alleging she stole overpaid COVID-19 vaccination contract funds that went to her family's Trinity Healthcare Services in 2021. An arraignment was rescheduled to Jan. 20 to allow finalization of her legal team, after prosecutors did not object and Judge Lisette Reid agreed. Cherfilus-McCormick says she is innocent and committed to her district. Her attorney contends the matters are mistakes and politically motivated. She was arrested in November, released on $60,000 bond, must surrender her personal passport, and is limited in travel but may keep a congressional passport for duties.
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