Dem Rep Cherfilus-McCormick says she's 'innocent' of stealing COVID funds, arraignment postponed

Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick said Monday that she is "innocent" in connection to charges of conspiring to steal $5 million in federal COVID-19 disaster funds.

The Florida congresswoman reiterated her innocence outside of a Miami federal courthouse, according to the Associated Press. 

“I just want to make it very clear that I am innocent,” Cherfilus-McCormick said after leaving court. “In no way did I steal any kind of funds. I’m committed to the people of Florida and my district.”

She was scheduled to be arraigned Monday. But her attorney, in a brief court hearing, requested the proceeding be rescheduled to Jan. 20 so that the congresswoman could finalize her legal team. 

Judge Lisette Reid agreed to the new date after prosecutors did not object.

Cherfilus-McCormick has pleaded not guilty to the 15 federal counts that alleged she stole funds in 2021 that had been overpaid to Trinity Healthcare Services, her family’s vaccine-related, health care company,