FEMA

Detainees at the immigration detention center dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” were relocated months ago. Generators were removed and the tents broken down. But environmental groups said the legal case questioning the facility's effects isn't over.

The president may have backed off killing the agency outright, but his FEMA Review Council clearly sees a much reduced emergency management role for the federal government.

With hurricane season approaching, the National Hurricane Center is preparing to test a new forecast cone and mobile-friendly web pages. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has again proposed eliminating offices that investigate hurricanes and improve forecasts.

"Former Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick abused Americans' trust in the most egregious way possible. She manipulated the COVID-19 crisis to funnel over $5 million dollars of FEMA relief funds to her and her family members," said James Percival, DHS General Counsel. "This is outright fraud."

Members of the House Ethics Committee are weighing what punishment to recommend after they found Cherfilus-McCormick committed 25 violations of House rules and ethical standards.

The conference is one of the largest aimed at preparing for hurricane season, which begins June 1. A task force report on potential reforms to the agency also remains on hold.

U.S. government attorneys call the funding plans 'legally insufficient.'

The Florida Democrat is facing 15 federal counts that could earn her up to 63 years in prison if convicted.

Embattled South Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who was indicted Thursday in Miami federal court for stealing $5 million in federal funds and campaign fraud, called the investigation a "sham," "unjust" and "baseless."

South Florida Democratic U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is accused of stealing millions in federal disaster funds to finance her own political campaign. She faces up to 53 years in prison if convicted.

A federal official confirmed Florida received the FEMA money it requested for the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center. It was awarded the day before the government shutdown.

A lawsuit alleges state and federal agencies are violating the National Environmental Policy Act by building the facility in the wetlands of Big Cypress National Preserve.