Social media comments question, where’s indicted congresswoman’s ring in holiday greeting?

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Embattled Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat representing District 20, reignited controversy after posting a holiday greeting on social media—accompanied by an apparent alteration to her official portrait.

Cherfilus-McCormick’s message on X read: “From my family to yours, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a joyful, safe holiday season.”

But eagle-eyed commenters pointed out that a ring was missing from her left hand — a detail that has stirred new scrutiny amid the federal indictment against her.

According to prosecutors, Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin, orchestrated a scheme to misappropriate $5 million in FEMA disaster-relief funds meant for COVID-19 response. The money was accidentally overpaid to their family-owned company, Trinity Healthcare Services, in 2021. Instead of returning the funds, the indictment alleges they laundered the money through multiple accounts and directed portions toward her congressional campaign and personal purchases.

A standout purchase: a 3.14-carat “Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond” ring valued at $109,000 and purchased through a cashier’s check just two months after the FEMA overpayment. The ring closely matches the one seen in her official House portrait—until it appears to vanish in the edited holiday image.

Cherfilus-McCormick previously led Trinity Healthcare Services before her election. CBS12 News previously reported that the company also faced legal action in Florida for a separate, unrelated payment error, settling a lawsuit after wrongly withholding over $5 million from the state.

Now, she is charged with 15 federal counts, including theft of government funds, money laundering, straw donor campaign contributions, false tax statements, and conspiracy, according to court records. If convicted, she could face up to 53 years in prison, although first-time offender sentencing guidelines may reduce that.

Cherfilus-McCormick surrendered to authorities on Nov. 25 in Miami, was released on a $60,000 bond, and ordered to surrender her personal passport. She may travel between Florida and Washington, D.C., using her congressional passport for official duties.

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In her first public remarks since the indictment, she condemned the timing of the charges.

“We spent all week seeing different members getting censured, all in hopes of intimidating and kind of distracting from the Epstein files,” said Cherfilus-McCormick. “And I look forward to my day in court so I can prove myself and actually state the truth.”

Cherfilus-McCormick has pleaded not guilty and says she will vigorously fight the charges. Her arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 29 in federal court in Miami.

CBS12 News reached out to her office for comment regarding the photo edit. As of press time, no response has been received. Meanwhile, her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, also faces charges in the case.

Her future — and that yellow diamond ring — remain under intense legal and public scrutiny.