Judge moves congresswoman's FEMA theft trial to late April after co-defendants request delay

"The federal judge overseeing the U.S. Government's theft case against Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has moved the trial to April after three co-defendants requested a delay. U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles of Miami canceled a scheduling conference set for Wednesday after reviewing a motion filed by the congresswoman's brother, Edwin Cherfilus, and joined by two other co-defendants. The judge had originally set a trial date for the two-week period starting on Monday. The start date is now April 20."

"The congresswoman is accused of stealing a government overpayment of $5 million to Trinity Health Care Services, a family-operated home health care firm. She has publicly denied the charges. But she has not entered a plea in court because she has yet to formally retain a permanent legal team. Cherfilus-McCormick has been working to secure the prominent Miami law firm of Markus / Moss PLLC to represent her at trial, a process so protracted that it has delayed her arraignment since November."

U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles of Miami moved the trial against Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick to start April 20 after three co-defendants requested a delay and he canceled a scheduled conference. Gayles concluded the interests of justice in a continuance outweigh the public's and defendant's right to a speedy trial. Cherfilus-McCormick is accused of stealing a $5 million government overpayment to Trinity Health Care Services; she has denied the charges and has not entered a plea while seeking permanent counsel. She has been trying to retain Markus / Moss PLLC, delaying her arraignment since November. The Federal Public Defender's office sought a continuance because the government produced 1,203,477 discovery records, requiring special review software and causing timing disruptions.

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