Washington — Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., was found guilty of 25 ethics charges on Friday following a rare and dramatic public hearing. The decision concludes a three-year investigation into allegations that she misappropriated millions of dollars in federal relief funds and directed some of those funds to her congressional campaign.
A Lengthy Investigation and Public Hearing
The House Ethics subcommittee’s decision followed a nearly seven-hour televised hearing where Cherfilus-McCormick and her attorney presented their case. Lawmakers then deliberated overnight before reaching a verdict. Cherfilus-McCormick has denied any wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty in a separate, related federal criminal case, stating, “I look forward to proving my innocence. Until then, my focus remains where it belongs: showing up for the great people of Florida’s 20th District who sent me to Washington to fight for them.”
The decision is expected to set the stage for Cherfilus-McCormick’s potential removal from Congress. Representative Greg Steube, R-Fla., had previously threatened to call for a vote on her expulsion. Following the subcommittee’s decision, several Democrats, including Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., publicly called for her resignation or expulsion, stating, “You can’t crime your way into legitimate power.”
Potential Next Steps
The House Ethics Committee will hold a hearing after the House’s two-week spring recess to determine potential sanctions. These could range from censure to removal from committees, or even expulsion. There is precedent for expelling a member of Congress before the conclusion of a criminal case, as seen in 2023 with the expulsion of Representative George Santos, R-N.Y.
The Justice Department indicted Cherfilus-McCormick in November, alleging she stole and laundered $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding. The allegations center around a $5 million overpayment to her family’s health care company, Trinity Healthcare Services, which had a contract with FEMA related to Covid-19 vaccinations. The Justice Department alleges that the funds were never repaid, were routed through multiple accounts, and ultimately used to support her 2022 campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges was Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick found guilty of?
Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick was found guilty of 25 ethics charges related to allegations of stealing millions in federal relief funds and funneling some of that money to her congressional campaign.
Has Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick responded to the Ethics Committee’s decision?
Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick has denied wrongdoing and stated she looks forward to proving her innocence. She intends to continue serving the people of Florida’s 20th District.
What could happen to Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick now?
The House Ethics Committee will hold a hearing after the spring recess to determine potential sanctions, which could include censure, removal from committees, or expulsion from Congress.
As this situation unfolds, what role should ethics play in evaluating the conduct of elected officials and maintaining public trust?
