Democrat accused of stealing $5million in relief funds trolled for editing out $100k diamond ring in her official portrait
Last month, Cherfilus-McCormick was charged with stealing $5million in federal disaster funds, laundering the proceeds, and using the money for her 2021 congressional campaign.
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.
The congresswoman's official house portrait appears to show a similar piece of jewelry adorning her finger, although no link has been confirmed.
Cherfilus–McCormick's post was accompanied by a community note – a feature which allows users to add context to potentially misleading posts – saying that her portrait had 'been altered to remove a ring off of her left hand'.
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus–McCormick, 46, was pictured with a large diamond ring on her hand in her official portrait
However, the piece of jewelry was scrubbed from her Christmas greeting posted Thursday. The Florida Democrat was mocked online for the photo alteration
The portrait quickly drew the ire of social media users.
'Your photoshop skills are lacking,' one X user said.
One user posted a side–by–side picture showing how the luxury accessory was missing from the Florida Democrat's hand.
Another user said Cherfilus–McCormick had triggered a 'Streisand Effect,' in which attempts to suppress information only draw more attention to it.