New Times artist conception/U.S. House of Representatives photo
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Last month, a federal grand jury in Miami indicted Democratic U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick on charges that she stole millions in federal disaster-relief funds.
According to the indictment, Cherfilus-McCormick, 46, and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, 51, conspired to steal $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds that were accidentally overpaid to their family healthcare company in 2021. Prosecutors allege the money was “routed through multiple accounts to disguise its source” before being funneled into Cherfilus-McCormick’s congressional campaign. They also alleged she used the funds to buy a $109,000, 3.14-carat yellow diamond ring from a jewelry store headquartered in New York City.
Online observers quickly noticed that what appears to be the same ring is prominently featured in the congresswoman’s official U.S. House portrait, which she regularly shares on her social media accounts.
But while Cherfilus-McCormick has continued to post the portrait across Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter) since the charges were announced, eagle-eyed followers noticed her left hand was conspicuously bare when she reposted the image once again on Christmas Day.
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On December 25, Cherfilus-McCormick shared her congressional portrait on X with the caption: “From my family to yours, wishing you a Merry Christmas and a joyful, safe holiday season.”
This time, however, the flashy yellow rock was missing from her left hand.
Her post was, as the kids say, ratioed.
While it received more than 600 likes and 200 reposts, it drew over 1,000 replies — many asking the same question: Where did the ring go?
“where the $109k ring girl??” Broward County activist Elijah Manley, who is running against the congresswoman in the 2026 Democratic primary, replied.
The post was also hit with a community note clarifying that the photo had been altered to remove a ring from Cherfilus-McCormick’s hand. The note linked to a previous New Times story on the diamond (see: “Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Spent Stolen FEMA Funds on $109K Ring: Feds”).
The congresswoman’s attorneys didn’t respond to New Times‘ request for comment.
As previously reported by New Times, the rings bear an uncanny resemblance to two styles sold by luxury jeweler Tiffany & Co.
New Times took the liberty of sending a photo of the rings to a Tiffany & Co. client advisor. “This appears to be the Tiffany Fancy Yellow Single Row Soleste, and the Victoria Band ring,” the advisor replied when asked whether the company carried the jewelry. The former ranges from $36,000 to $94,000, depending on carat weight (though custom orders can request a larger carat weight for a heftier price tag), while the latter retails at $24,500.
According to the International Gem Society, fancy vivid yellow diamonds can be sold for $8,000 to $16,000 per carat. The rare gemstones have an intense yellow hue and are highly valuable due to their color.
