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More than four months after U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick filed a defamation lawsuit against her 26-year-old primary challenger, the suit has been tossed out by the courts.
In September, the embattled Democratic Broward congresswoman sued Elijah Manley, accusing him of engaging “in a pattern of making false and defamatory statements” in his campaign videos and published columns in the Sun Sentinel. Manley and Cherfilus-McCormick are seeking the Democratic nomination for the District 20 seat, which represents parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, in the 2026 election.
On January 8, Circuit Court Judge Daniel Casey dismissed the lawsuit after finding that Cherfilus-McCormick failed to serve Manley within 120 days of filing her complaint.
“This case is DISMISSED without prejudice,” the order reads. “Any calendar event is hereby CANCELED.”
In a press release, Manley said Cherfilus-McCormick failed to serve him the lawsuit “for one simple reason: she knows what we all know to be true.”
“She stole $5 million from FEMA, from her constituents and American taxpayers. Unlike Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, I can now focus on campaigning to earn voters’ trust instead of court dates for breaking their trust,” Manley wrote.
He continued: “Additionally, I will explore all available legal remedies, including a $1M countersuit for tortious interference, abuse of process, defamation of character, and malicious prosecution. You don’t get to exploit the legal system without consequences.”
In November, a federal grand jury in Miami indicted Cherfilus-McCormick on charges that she stole millions in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds.
According to the indictment, Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother, Edwin Cherfilus, 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 2022 congressional campaign.
During his campaign, Manley pointed to a U.S. House Ethics Committee report that found the congresswoman may have violated campaign finance laws, as well as records that showed she used roughly $6 million in accidental overpayments from the state to her former healthcare company for her congressional run.
Cherfilus-McCormick’s lawsuit cited one of Manley’s campaign videos, in which he asserted, “You can’t fight corruption with more corruption – or with representatives who are themselves under investigation for serious ethical violations.” She argued that the statement (which appears to be about her) was false, malicious, and harmed her reputation.
“Through campaign videos on Instagram and published columns, [Manley] has deliberately spread malicious and false statements about [Cherfilus-McCormick], resulting in reputation harm and public discredit,” the complaint states.
After the suit was filed, Manley issued a statement emphasizing his right to criticize public officials under the First Amendment. He also said he was confident the lawsuit would be dismissed.
“Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick is attacking her political opponent to deflect attention from the serious corruption investigation against her,” he added. “This is a classic Trump tactic that will not help her defend her seat, will not help the people of South Florida, nor will it help her avoid scrutiny.”
As previously reported by New Times, federal authorities also alleged that Cherfilus-McCormick used the funds to buy a $109,000, 3.14-carat yellow diamond ring from a jewelry store headquartered in New York City.
Internet sleuths 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. The ring was notably absent from the same image when Cherfilus-McCormick shared it on Christmas Day 2025. According to the International Gem Society, fancy vivid yellow diamonds can be sold for $8,000 to $16,000 per carat.
