Democrat accused of stealing $5million in relief funds trolled for editing out $100k diamond ring in her official portrait | 27 Dec 2025 | A Democratic congresswoman from Florida accused of stealing $5million in disaster relief funds was blasted online for editing out a flashy diamond ring from her official portrait. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, who represents a heavily Democratic district in Southeast Florida, uploaded the photo Thursday, as she wished her followers a Merry Christmas. However, online users were quick to spot that the sparkler typically found on her left hand was completely missing from the holiday postcard. Last month, Cherfilus-McCormick was charged with stealing federal disaster funds, laundering the proceeds, and using the money for her 2021 congressional campaign. Federal prosecutors alleged she stole the funds her family’s health care company received during the COVID–19 pandemic and used them to support her political aspirations and for her personal benefit. The indictment from Cherfilus–McCormick’s case said she purchased a 3.14–carat “Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond” ring from a New York jeweler for $109,000, per CBS12.