The House Ethics Committee has determined that Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida committed numerous violations of House rules and ethics standards. The panel found evidence supporting most of the 27 alleged violations against her.
Key Takeaways
The House Ethics Committee found Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick committed 25 ethics violations, including campaign finance laws. She is accused of stealing $5 million in federal pandemic relief funds for her campaign. The committee will recommend disciplinary action after the April recess. Cherfilus-McCormick has denied wrongdoing and faces potential expulsion by House Republicans.
- Ethics Committee found 25 violations out of 27 alleged against Cherfilus-McCormick
- Accused of stealing $5 million in federal pandemic relief funds for her campaign
- Committee to recommend disciplinary action after April recess
- Cherfilus-McCormick indicted on federal charges, denies wrongdoing
- House Republicans pushing for expulsion
The committee concluded that Cherfilus-McCormick had committed 25 ethics violations, including breaking campaign finance laws. She is accused of stealing $5 million in federal pandemic relief funds intended for her family's healthcare business and using some of the money to finance her 2021 special election campaign.
The committee will wait until after Congress' upcoming April recess to recommend any possible disciplinary action against Cherfilus-McCormick. She was indicted in November on federal charges, including theft and conspiracy, and has pleaded not guilty. Federal prosecutors allege that she funneled money to support her campaign using FEMA overpayments distributed to Trinity Healthcare Services, her family's company.
The House Ethics Committee held a rare public hearing into the accusations against Cherfilus-McCormick to determine whether any of the alleged violations had been proven by clear and convincing evidence. Committee investigators claim they collected 'a mountain of evidence' over two years that Cherfilus-McCormick committed the deeds alleged in the federal indictment.
House Republicans are pushing to expel Cherfilus-McCormick from Congress because of the allegations, and the findings by the Ethics Committee could bolster that effort. Some Republican lawmakers are threatening a vote to expel her from the House. Cherfilus-McCormick has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and criticized the House hearing as unfair.
House Democratic leadership is standing by Cherfilus-McCormick despite the findings. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated he would not comment further until the Ethics Committee completes its process upon their return from recess. Rep. Pete Aguilar also acknowledged the severity of the violations but had not seen the full findings.
A few Democratic lawmakers, including moderate Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, have publicly called for Cherfilus-McCormick to resign or be removed following the guilty verdict. Other Democrats indicated they would consider backing an expulsion resolution if she does not leave voluntarily.
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