Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is accused of stealing and laundering around $5 million in FEMA funds.
The committee in its statement alleged Cherfilus-McCormick was guilty of all, but two of 27 counts brought against her, saying the evidence against the representative was"clear and convincing." Next month, the committee will meet following the congressional recess to decide on appropriate punitive actions, which could include fines, censure, or even expulsion.
Why It Mattersdisaster‑relief funds connected to a COVID‑19 vaccination staffing contract awarded to her family’s home‑health‑care company, Trinity Healthcare Services. She allegedly"laundered" the money through multiple accounts with a significant portion routed to her campaign for a special election in 2022, with which she won her seat. A federal grand jury indicted Cherfilus‑McCormick in November 2025, with prosecutors alleging she conspired to file a false federal tax return by disguising campaign and personal expenses as business deductions. The House Ethics Committee decision lays the groundwork for a vote by the full chamber to expel Cherfilus-McCormick.The House Ethics Committee issued its decision on Friday following an hours-long hearing on Thursday, which was the first public hearing in 16 years following the hearings in 2010 involving Representative Maxine Waters of California and Representative Charles Rangel of New York. Cherfilus-McCormick did not speak during her hearing, according to The Hill, but merely communicated with her lawyer throughout the proceedings. The committee stressed the deliberations lasted"well past midnight." The representative has consistent denied any wrongdoing, and her counsel has argued the facts in the committee's motion were in dispute. A summary judgement of the allegations includes such charges as conduct that either"Does Not Reflect Credibility on the House" or"Violates the Letter and Spirit of House Rules," as well as"Failure to Uphold the Laws and Regulations of the United States” and “Lack of Candor and Diligence in Ethics Investigations.” In a letter issued Friday morning, the committee stated it found"that Counts 1-15 and 17-26 of the SAV had been proven," referring to the 27 allegations leveled in the Statement of Alleged Violations against the congresswoman. Cherfilus-McCormick said only that her"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."In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not"both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
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