Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Guilty on Ethics Charges
By: Sam Massey
The House Ethics Committee’s adjudicatory subcommittee, composed of eight Republican and Democratic House members, held a rare public hearing this Friday to determine whether the alleged violations against Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick had been proven by clear and convincing evidence. The panel ultimately determined that all but two of the 27 alleged violations had been proven, delivering a damaging verdict for the Florida Democrat. Those confirmed charges include, but are not limited to, money laundering, submitting false statements on campaign finance reports, and seeking special favors from entities receiving federal funding. The committee said it would wait until after Congress’ upcoming April recess to recommend any possible disciplinary action.
Cherfilus-McCormick has been accused of stealing $5 million in federal pandemic relief funds and using some of that money to boost her congressional campaign. Federal prosecutors allege that she and several co-conspirators stole disaster funds, laundered the proceeds, and directed the money toward her 2021 run for Congress. The charges relate to more than $5 million in overpayments made to Trinity Healthcare Services from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, a company co-founded by the congresswoman’s mother and stepfather that had received a state contract to assist with COVID-19 vaccine registration. Prosecutors further contend that she purchased a 3.14-carat yellow diamond ring with the stolen funds, wore that ring in her official congressional photo, and later edited the ring out when using the photo for graphics. They also claim she falsely inflated business expenses and charitable contributions to reduce her tax liability. Cherfilus-McCormick has pleaded not guilty and called the indictment a “sham.”
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House Republicans are pushing to expel Cherfilus-McCormick from Congress, and the committee’s findings could bolster that effort. When the full committee reconvenes after the April recess to discuss potential sanctions, expulsion could be among the recommended punishments, a move that might also draw Democratic support for her removal. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a Blue Dog Democrat from Washington, was the first Democratic lawmaker to publicly call for Cherfilus-McCormick’s resignation or removal, writing that one cannot “crime your way into legitimate power.” Notably, her primary challenger Elijah Manley, who is running against her from the left, was present in the audience during the House panel proceedings and has called on McCormick to step down from her position. A handful of other congressional Democrats also said they would consider backing an expulsion resolution if the indicted lawmaker did not leave on her own terms.
Despite the verdict, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declined to get ahead of the Ethics Committee process, saying he would have more to say once it is completed upon Congress’ return from recess. Cherfilus-McCormick herself gave no indication she would step down, stating that her focus remains on representing the people of Florida’s 20th District and that she looks forward to proving her innocence. If the House were to vote to remove her, she would be only the seventh member ever expelled from the chamber, joining the likes of Rep. George Santos, who was ousted in 2023. The NRCC wasted no time criticizing Democratic leadership, with spokesman Mike Marinella arguing that their relative silence amounts to protecting a proven ethics violator.