Florida lawmaker edits photo to remove $100K ring after being accused of stealing millions

Need to know

• Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was accused in November of stealing millions in disaster-relief funds and using the money on personal purchases, including a $100,000 ring.

• After the Congresswoman shared her picture on Christmas, social media users noticed that the ring had been edited out of the image, which was shared earlier.

• In a statement, a representative for Cherfilus-McCormick said the decision to edit the photo was not “directed, approved or authorized” by the politician.

After a Florida congresswoman shared a picture of herself in a holiday greeting, social media users quickly noticed that a ring — which was paid for using stolen funds from a relief fund — had been edited.

Democrat Rep. representing Florida’s 20th Congressional District. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick shared a message on X on Friday, December 25, posting a picture of herself and the message reading: “From my family to you, Merry Christmas and a happy, safe holiday season.”

In response, X users pointed out that an earlier public version of the image showed a ring on one of the congresswoman’s fingers. “What happened to your ring?” and “Where’s the ring you bought with the stolen money?” Cherfilus-McCormick had some responses sent to her.

According to CBS 12 and Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted last month on charges of stealing millions in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster-relief funds. Miami New Times. Among the items allegedly purchased was a $100,000 piece of jewelry.

“This action was not directed, approved or authorized by the congresswoman,” Cherfilus-McCormick’s chief of staff, Naomie Pierre-Louis, told CBS 12 in a statement after the new photo was released.

“It was a staff-level decision made by well-intentioned people trying to protect the member’s reputation. It was unauthorized and should not have happened,” she continued. “The photo is an official portrait of the congresswoman, and she has no intention of changing or editing it now or in the future.”

Pierre-Louis did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Saturday, Dec. 27.

In November, a federal grand jury indicted Scherphilus-McCormick on charges of stealing federal disaster funds.

The politician allegedly used a $109,000 cashier’s check to buy a 3.14-carat yellow diamond ring in New York City in September 2021, according to Miami New Timeswhich cited the indictment.

The outlet also consulted a Tiffany & Co. client consultant, who identified the sparklers as two rings from the luxury jeweler based on the photos. “It looks like a Tiffany fancy yellow single row Soleste and Victoria band bell,” said the advisor. Miami New Times.

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A federal indictment accuses Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother of misappropriating $5 million in FEMA relief funds that were meant for the COVID-19 response, according to CBS 12.

The indictment alleges that the funds — which were accidentally overpaid to a company owned by his family in 2021 — were laundered through multiple accounts and then funneled into his 2022 congressional campaign, as well as personal expenses, including the ring, CBS 12 and Per. Miami New Times.

Cherfilus-McCormick is charged with theft of government funds, false tax returns, conspiracy and more, CBS 12 reported, citing court records.

She faces a total of 15 federal counts and, if convicted, could face up to 53 years in prison, according to the outlet.

The congresswoman, who surrendered to authorities in Miami on Nov. 25 and was later released on bond, has pleaded not guilty, according to CBS 12 .

He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, December 29.

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