News

Florida Dem Rep Plays the Race Card After Her FEMA Cash Fraud Indictment
News

Florida Dem Rep Plays the Race Card After Her FEMA Cash Fraud Indictment

/

Democrat Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida’s 20th Congressional District has been charged by the Department of Justice in a federal indictment alleging she and her brother stole $5 million in FEMA money during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prosecutors say the funds were routed through multiple accounts, laundered, and then used in part to support her 2021 congressional campaign.

According to the DOJ release, “Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and her brother Edwin Cherfilus, 51, both of Miramar, worked through their family health-care company on a FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract in 2021.

In July 2021, the company received an overpayment of $5 million in FEMA funds.”

“The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to steal that $5 million and routed it through multiple accounts to disguise its source,” the DOJ stated.

“Prosecutors allege that a substantial portion of the misappropriated funds was used as candidate contributions to Cherfilus-McCormick’s 2021 congressional campaign and for the personal benefit of the defendants.”

The charges also name Nadege Leblanc of Miramar.

“The indictment further alleges that Cherfilus-McCormick and Nadege Leblanc, 46, of Miramar, arranged additional contributions using straw donors, funneling other monies from the FEMA-funded Covid-19 contract to friends and relatives who then donated to the campaign as if using their own money,” the statement said.

Cherfilus-McCormick responded to questions about the indictment on Wednesday.

In her statement, she said, “Well, it’s an unjust indictment, and it seems like these intimidation tactics have been pervasive. We spent all week seeing different members getting censured, all in hopes of intimidating and kind of distracting from the Epstein files, and I look forward to my day in court so I can prove myself and actually state the truth.”

“But if this is what Congress is becoming, where they’re always trying to intimidate you, scare tactics, especially attacking minorities, black and brown people, then we’re going to have to keep fighting for the district, and everybody has been giving me so much support, and we are going to keep fighting until the district gets what it needs, which is fair prices, housing, and fair representation in Congress. Thank you so much.”

The federal indictment outlines the allegations involving the FEMA-funded contract, the routing of the overpayment across several accounts, and the use of funds for campaign contributions and personal benefit.

Trump Teases Musk as Strained Relationship Appears to Ease Significantly
News

Trump Teases Musk as Strained Relationship Appears to Ease Significantly

/

President Donald Trump signaled a shift in his previously tense relationship with SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk after mentioning him during remarks at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington on Wednesday, as reported by Fox News.

The reference came one day after Musk attended a White House dinner during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit.

The public dynamic between the two had been strained since the spring, following Musk’s departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Elon Musk arrives at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland at the 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) event on February 20, 2025.

Trump and Musk exchanged pointed criticism in May and June over Trump’s tax and domestic policy package known as the “big, beautiful bill.”

At the forum on Wednesday, Trump addressed Musk directly while discussing the measure.

“You’re so lucky I’m with you, Elon. I’ll tell you. Has he ever thanked me properly?” Trump said. He continued by noting that, under the bill, a previous mandate requiring all cars to be electric by 2030 was no longer in place.

“Although I do let him buy other than electric cars, but these are minor details. You know, we had a mandate which even Elon thought was ridiculous, that everybody has to have an electric car by 2030. And once, fortunately, he said, that’s a ridiculous thing.”

Trump signed the legislation in July, which included a new tax deduction on car loan interest for purchases made between 2025 and 2028. The provision allows buyers to write off up to $10,000 per year in interest on certain loans for brand-new vehicles.

After Trump’s remarks, Musk posted on X, “I would like to thank President Trump for all he has done for America and the world.”

The disagreements earlier in the year centered on Musk’s criticism of the bill amid reports it could increase the federal deficit. Trump argued Musk’s frustration stemmed from the removal of an electric vehicle tax credit used by automakers such as Tesla.

By May and June, the back-and-forth had escalated, with Musk asserting that Trump would not have won the 2024 election without his support.

Trump responded by saying Musk had gone “CRAZY” over the changes to electric vehicle credits and that the CEO had been “wearing thin.”

The relationship appeared to ease later in the year. The two were seen together in September at the funeral of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Arizona.

Elon Musk and Donald Trump are pictured speaking at the ‘Make America Great Again Victory Rally’ at the Capital One Arena in Washington.

Musk then attended a White House dinner on Tuesday, where Apple CEO Tim Cook and Dell CEO Michael Dell were also present.

Fox News Digital reported that both the White House and Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Florida Dem Rep Plays the Race Card After Her FEMA Cash Fraud Indictment
News

Florida Democrat Indicted Over $5 Million FEMA Money Theft

/

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida was indicted Wednesday on federal charges alleging she stole $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds and used a portion of the money to support her 2021 congressional campaign.

The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Miami, follows a House Ethics Committee investigation that began in December 2023. She faces up to 53 years in prison if convicted.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement, “Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime. No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice.”

According to the Justice Department, Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and several co-defendants are accused of conspiring to steal an overpayment of $5 million in FEMA funds her family health-care company received in July 2021.

Prosecutors state the payment stemmed from a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract.

The indictment alleges that the defendants routed the funds “through multiple accounts to disguise its source” and used “a substantial portion of the misappropriated funds … as candidate contributions” to Cherfilus-McCormick’s 2021 campaign.

Among the co-defendants named is her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, 51.

Prosecutors also allege that Cherfilus-McCormick and another co-defendant, Nadege Leblanc, 46, schemed to use “straw donors” to direct the stolen funds into the campaign.

The indictment claims these actions were intended to conceal the true origin of the contributions.

Cherfilus-McCormick and her tax preparer, David K. Spencer, 41, are additionally charged with conspiring to file a false federal tax return.

According to the Justice Department, the filing allegedly misrepresented political spending and other personal expenses as business deductions.

Prosecutors also allege that charitable contributions were inflated on the return to reduce tax liability.

US Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones of the Southern District of Florida said in a statement, “Today’s indictment shows no one is above the law. This indictment reflects our Office’s commitment to follow the facts, apply the law, and protect the American taxpayer. Public money belongs to the American people. When FEMA funds are diverted for personal or political gain, it erodes trust and harms us all.”

Cherfilus-McCormick was first elected to Congress in 2022 to represent Florida’s 20th District, replacing former Rep. Alcee Hastings, who died in 2021.

During the 2022 campaign, she drew attention for personally loaning her campaign more than $6 million.

Federal Election Commission filings show she later repaid herself approximately $2.5 million using campaign funds.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management filed a lawsuit in December 2024 involving Trinity Healthcare Services, the family-owned company that received the FEMA overpayment.

The lawsuit alleges Trinity overcharged the state by nearly $5.8 million for work performed during the pandemic and refused to return the funds.

Cherfilus-McCormick served as CEO of Trinity at the time of the overpayment.

Accidental Shooting on Hunting Trip Leaves Texas Family Heartbroken
News

Accidental Shooting on Hunting Trip Leaves Texas Family Heartbroken

/

A Texas family is mourning the death of 45-year-old Jose Ramirez of Grapevine, who state officials say was killed in an accidental shooting during a weekend hunting trip in northeast Texas, as reported by Fox News.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) game wardens responded shortly after midnight on Saturday to what the agency described as a fatal hunting accident.

According to information provided to local outlet KLTV by TPWD, Ramirez was removing a firearm from a vehicle when it discharged, striking him. Attempts at life-saving measures were not successful.

Ramirez, a father of three, was identified in a GoFundMe campaign organized by one of his daughters. “My father, Jose Ramirez, passed away unexpectedly, and our family is heartbroken. My dad meant the world to me,” the GoFundMe reads.

His daughter described him as “the pillar of our home, the provider for our family, and the one who always made sure we were taken care of.”

She said the “light of his life” was his infant granddaughter. “He taught me the most important lessons in life — to never give up, to work hard for what you want, and to always do what makes you happy, no matter how small it may seem,” she wrote.

“He believed that true success comes from loving what you do and living with a happy heart.”

Community tributes also noted Ramirez’s longstanding ties to Grapevine. The Facebook page “Grapevine Edit” wrote that he grew up in the city and worked at numerous local restaurants over the years.

“Most recently, he worked at Son of a Butcher, Silver Lake Marina’s Rockin’ S Express Bar & Grill, and spent over a decade at Kirby’s Steakhouse,” the post said.

“His family wants the community to know of his passing because they know how many coworkers, customers, and locals cared about him and would want to know.”

TPWD said game wardens are trained to investigate hunting-related incidents but “always wish a tragedy like this could have been avoided.” The agency encouraged hunters to remain vigilant with firearm safety and published reminders on Facebook.

“Always handle all firearms as if they are loaded, keep muzzles pointed in a safe direction, and take time to unload your firearm before placing or removing it from a vehicle,” TPWD wrote while extending condolences to Ramirez’s family.

Texas’ general rifle season for white-tail deer began on Nov. 1 and runs through various dates in January depending on the region.

Trump Signs Epstein Transparency Bill Despite Democrats’ Sudden Panic
News

Trump Signs Epstein Transparency Bill Despite Democrats’ Sudden Panic

/

President Donald Trump said Wednesday evening that he signed legislation directing the Justice Department to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender.

“I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!” Trump wrote in a message on Truth Social.

He stated that he asked Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune to move the legislation through both chambers.

According to Trump, “the votes were almost unanimous in favor of passage.”

Trump said the Justice Department had already given Congress nearly fifty thousand pages of documents.

He contrasted that with the prior administration, writing, “Do not forget — The Biden Administration did not turn over a SINGLE file or page related to Democrat Epstein, nor did they ever even speak about him.”

Trump’s ties to Epstein drew renewed attention after the Justice Department and FBI announced in July that they would not unseal investigation materials and that the agencies had closed their investigation.

On Sunday, Trump said he supported releasing the documents and stated he had “nothing to hide.”

“As I said on Friday night aboard Air Force One to the Fake News Media, House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party, including our recent Victory on the Democrat ‘Shutdown,'” Trump wrote.

The House approved the measure Tuesday by a 421–1 vote.

The bill’s primary sponsors included Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., was the only lawmaker to vote against the legislation.

Higgins said he opposed it because “this bill reveals and injures thousands of innocent people — witnesses, people who provided alibis, family members, etc.”

Speaker Mike Johnson voted for the legislation but noted concerns during a press conference earlier that day.

“Who’s going to want to come forward if they think Congress can take a political exercise and reveal their identities? Who’s going to come talk to prosecutors?” Johnson said.

He also warned about the possibility of publicly exposing undercover law enforcement officers.

After the House vote, the bill moved to the Senate, which passed it unanimously later Tuesday.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act orders the Justice Department to release all unclassified records and investigative materials related to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

It also directs the release of files referencing individuals in Epstein’s previous legal matters, materials tied to trafficking allegations, internal DOJ communications related to the case, and details linked to the investigation into Epstein’s death.

The law permits the DOJ to redact or withhold materials involving victims’ identities, child sex abuse evidence, classified information, or information that could compromise ongoing investigations.

Attorney General Pam Bondi told reporters Wednesday that she would enforce the law, which requires the DOJ to publish the files online in a searchable format within 30 days.

Early in the administration, some supporters had called for the release of Epstein-related materials, including the alleged “client list.”

In July, a joint DOJ–FBI memo said the agencies had no additional information to provide beyond what had already been made public about Epstein’s case and his death in 2019.

The memo prompted criticism from some supporters seeking more documents.

Trump has described aspects of the Epstein matter as a “Democrat hoax,” while publicly supporting the release of the files on Sunday.

Momentum increased after members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released three emails Wednesday that Epstein’s estate provided which mentioned Trump.

Republicans also released approximately 20,000 pages of Epstein-related documents that same day.

The materials contain emails between Epstein and Maxwell, and communications with author Michael Wolff and former Obama White House counsel Kathy Ruemmler, among others.

One 2011 email from Epstein to Maxwell reads, “i want you to realize that that dog that hasn’t barked is trump.. (VICTIM) spent hours at my house with him ,, he has never once been mentioned. police chief. etc. im 75 % there.”

Maxwell replied, “I have been thinking about that…”

In a separate 2019 email to Wolff, Epstein wrote that “of course he knew about the girls as he asked ghislaine to stop,” referring to Trump. Trump has said he barred Epstein from Mar-a-Lago because Epstein kept “taking people who worked for me.”

The files do not assert that Trump engaged in wrongdoing, and no law enforcement records link Trump to Epstein’s crimes.

Epstein allegedly died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial.

Maxwell was later convicted on charges including sex trafficking of a minor and is serving a 20-year sentence.

FBI Probes Mysterious Death of Cheerleader Found Under Cruise Ship Bed
News

FBI Probes Mysterious Death of Cheerleader Found Under Cruise Ship Bed

/

New details have emerged regarding the death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner, the Florida high school cheerleader who died earlier this month while on a six-day Caribbean cruise aboard the Carnival Horizon, as reported by the New York Post.

Kepner, from Titusville, was found dead in her cabin on Nov. 7, but few official details have been released by authorities or the cruise line.

According to information shared with the Daily Mail by two unidentified sources, Kepner was reportedly discovered wrapped in a blanket, covered with life jackets and placed under a bed inside her cabin.

A maid found her body around 11 a.m. while entering the room for cleaning.

Kepner had been traveling with her family, who last saw her the previous evening during dinner. According to the sources, she told relatives she was not feeling well and returned to her room.

When she did not appear at breakfast the next morning, her family began searching the ship, which carries nearly 4,000 passengers. The search ended when the maid discovered her body.

Following the discovery, the Carnival Horizon changed course and returned to the Port of Miami. The Miami-Dade County medical examiner recorded Kepner’s time of death as 11:17 a.m. on Nov. 7 but did not list a cause of death.

The FBI is investigating because the incident occurred in international waters. Kepner’s father, Christopher Kepner, said last week that the family has received no explanation regarding what happened.

“I have no idea what is going on right now. We are just trying to sit still and wait for answers,” he told the Daily Mail.

Kepner was a senior at Temple Christian School in Titusville and was expected to graduate in May. Family members described her as “Anna Banana” and noted that she had recently completed her test to join the military.

She was active in gymnastics and cheerleading.

Court records reported in other recent coverage indicate that a step-sibling was questioned by federal authorities, though no agency has confirmed any investigative details.

Multiple previous reports have documented public tributes from family and classmates as the investigation continues.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the FBI and Carnival Cruise Line for additional information.

Reporters Busted Secretly Recording White House Staff, Karoline Leavitt Takes Action
News

Reporters Busted Secretly Recording White House Staff, Karoline Leavitt Takes Action

/

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that her office restricted free-roaming media access after staff discovered reporters secretly recording conversations inside the Upper Press area.

The change ends decades of open-door access and now requires reporters to make appointments before entering the space.

In an interview with “Pod Force One,” Leavitt told Miranda Devine that the new rules were put in place after several incidents involving reporters attempting to listen in on internal discussions and gather information without authorization.

“We have taken over the responsibilities of the National Security Council, thanks to the restructuring of Secretary Rubio when he became National Security Advisor. Steven Cheung and I are responsible for all communications matters, including national security,” Leavitt said.

“And so we felt it became very inappropriate for reporters to be loitering around sensitive information in our offices. And we did, unfortunately, catch some unruly reporters recording us without our permission, listening in on conversations, eavesdropping.”

According to Leavitt, reporters had begun positioning themselves outside morning staff meetings, attempting to overhear discussions as officials exited the room.

She said the behavior intensified to the point where senior officials could not brief staff without interruption.

“We’d have staff meetings in the morning. Some of the reporters started to pick up on that, and we’d walk out and they would be out there trying to listen. You know, if Secretary Rubio or the chief want to come in and brief us on something, you’d have reporters out there heckling them, and it just became an inappropriate work environment,” Leavitt said.

“And so now they’re welcome up here, but it’s by appointment only. And so a lot of the outrage you’re seeing on Twitter, they’ve told us privately they’re OK with how this system works so long as they can still have appointments with me to understand the news of the day.”

Leavitt said she still grants access to reporters as her schedule allows, but noted that much of her time is spent in meetings with President Trump inside the Oval Office.

“I give them as much time as I possibly can on my schedule. Although a lot of my time is with the president and in the Oval Office and sitting in on meetings. So I try to devote as much time as I can to the press because that is my job, right? The basic duty is for me to work with the press and make sure they’re telling the truth out there,” Leavitt said.

Assistant to the President and White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung also addressed the policy change.

He confirmed that the restrictions were implemented after multiple instances of reporters secretly recording video and audio inside West Wing workspaces.

Cheung said some reporters gained unauthorized access to restricted rooms in attempts to overhear private meetings.

“Press still has access to lower press where the press team sits and can answer all inquiries. Reporters can make appointments to see us in our offices,” Cheung wrote.

The new appointment-only system applies specifically to the Upper Press area, while other areas used for daily briefings and general press functions remain accessible under standard procedures.

Jasmine Crockett’s Epstein Accusation Falls Apart Live on CNN
News

Jasmine Crockett’s Epstein Accusation Falls Apart Live on CNN

/

Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas defended her remarks involving EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Jeffrey Epstein during an interview on CNN’s “The Source” on Wednesday, stating that she deliberately referred to “a Jeffrey Epstein” rather than asserting it was the convicted sex trafficker.

Host Kaitlan Collins asked Crockett to address Zeldin’s response.

Collins noted that Zeldin said the reference involved a different individual, “a Dr. Jeffrey Epstein,” who previously donated to one of his campaigns and was unrelated to the disgraced financier. Collins asked whether Crockett wanted to correct the record.

Crockett responded by saying she never claimed it was the same Jeffrey Epstein.

She said the issue arose during a debate and that information was presented to Democrats without advance notice.

Crockett said that her team used a quick online search because, according to her, Republicans raised the donation in real time.

“Listen, I never said that it was that Jeffrey Epstein. Just so that people understand, when you make a donation, your picture is not there. And because they decided to spring this on us in real time, I wanted the Republicans to think about what could potentially happen, because I knew that they didn’t even try to go through the FEC. So, my team, what they did is they Googled, and that is specifically why I said a Jeffrey Epstein, unlike Republicans, I at least don’t go out and just tell lies, because it was not the same one, that’s fine,” Crockett said.

She continued that Zeldin “admitted that he did receive donations from a Jeffrey Epstein,” and argued that he could have clarified the issue simply by stating it was a different individual.

Crockett said she was not attempting to mislead anyone and that the timing limited what information her staff could find.

“Now, have I dug in to find out who this doctor is? I have not. So I will trust and take what he says is that it wasn’t that Jeffrey Epstein, but I was not attempting to mislead anybody. I literally had maybe 20 minutes before I had to do that debate,” she said.

Crockett reiterated that more time would have been necessary to determine the identity of the donor.

“Within 20 minutes, you could not find that out, not from just doing a quick search on FEC. So number one, I made sure that I was clear that it was a Jeffrey Epstein, but I never said that it was specifically that Jeffrey Epstein, because I knew that we would need more time to really dig in,” she said.

Zeldin was confirmed as EPA administrator earlier this year.

The exchange with Crockett stemmed from a dispute over donor records and questions raised during a prior debate.

The discussion on CNN followed Republicans’ criticism of Crockett’s initial comments and Crockett’s insistence that she used the phrasing intentionally.

The interview marked the latest in a series of disagreements between Crockett and House Republicans involving campaign finance issues raised during committee proceedings and televised debates.

Kamala Accuses Trump of ‘Gaslighting’ America While He Unseals Epstein Records
News

Kamala Accuses Trump of ‘Gaslighting’ America While He Unseals Epstein Records

/

Former Vice President Kamala Harris pressed President Donald Trump on Wednesday to immediately release the Epstein files, accusing him of attempting to “gaslight the American people” by saying he was waiting for congressional authorization.

Harris made the comments during an appearance on a podcast with The Bulwark, where she claimed Trump could act unilaterally, as reported by Fox News.

Jan 6, 2025; Washington, D.C., USA; Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to press after the Electoral College convened to certify President-elect Donald Trump for a second term. Mandatory Credit: Megan Smith-USA TODAY

“All of a sudden he’s saying he’ll wait to see what Congress does. Since when?” Harris said. “All of a sudden now he’s waiting for Congress to green light what he will do or wants to do? Come on.”

Harris then added, “So, release the files! Release the files. He is the president of the United States, the head of the executive branch. He has taken unilateral action without concern about the three co-equal branches of government on almost everything he has done, so release the files.”

Her remarks came just hours before Trump announced he had signed legislation authorizing the release of the files.

“I HAVE JUST SIGNED THE BILL TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He said he had urged House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune to move the measure forward. “Because of this request, the votes were almost unanimous in favor of passage,” Trump wrote.

He also stated that the Department of Justice had already provided Congress with “close to fifty thousand pages of documents.”

Trump contrasted that with actions taken under the previous administration. “Do not forget — The Biden Administration did not turn over a SINGLE file or page related to Democrat Epstein, nor did they ever even speak about him,” Trump wrote.

The House approved the Epstein Files Transparency Act on Tuesday by a vote of 421–1. The Senate followed with unanimous consent. The push for disclosure was led by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and several other lawmakers.

The legislation directs the Justice Department to release all unclassified materials linked to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, including records connected to individuals referenced in Epstein’s prior legal matters.

The mandate also includes investigative materials, internal DOJ communications involving Epstein, and files concerning the investigation into his death.

The statute allows the Justice Department to redact or withhold information if it contains victims’ names, child sexual abuse materials, classified content, or details that could compromise active investigations.

Attorney General Pam Bondi told reporters Wednesday that the Justice Department would follow the law, which requires the files to be published online in a searchable format within 30 days.


Scroll to Top