Fraud

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.

People who sign up for Operation Senior Shield receive updates about the latest scams targeting older people, as well as help protecting personal information.

Charmaine Gatlin, 52, was fired in November after 10 years as chief operating officer of the fundraising arm of the Jackson Health System.

The arrests were part of a second phase of an investigation. In 2023, 25 people were charged in connection with a similar scheme involving three other Florida schools.

The Flagler County Sheriff's Office says Autumn Bardisa, 29, used another nurse’s credentials to work for AdventHealth in Palm Coast for months before the hospital uncovered the scheme.

The Florida Republican is leading a bipartisan effort in the Senate to crack down on financial scams targeting older Americans with a bill aimed at equipping law enforcement with more advanced tools and resources.

PolitiFact found three reports that showed Florida last or second-to-last nationally on mental health care — one from 2025 and two based on data that is at least a decade old. Other rankings put it in a slightly better light.

An indictment filed Thursday in Orlando alleges that, between 2019 and 2022, six men conspired to improperly recruit veterans and collect tuition benefits from the VA.

Those charged include 96 doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and other licensed medical professionals for their participation in fraud involving over $14.6 billion in intended loss.

Officials say prisoners have been using drones to smuggle in contraband cellphones and run cryptocurrency schemes, costing seniors millions.

Consumers who were enrolled fraudulently could receive unexpected tax bills — the first and possibly only clue they were a victim of fraud. Getting help may become difficult amid federal layoffs.