The House Ethics Committee is set to decide on potential penalties for Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida, following findings that she committed 25 violations of House rules and ethical standards. The committee will hold a public hearing Tuesday to determine the appropriate punishment, which could range from expulsion to lesser reprimands.
Cherfilus-McCormick is accused of misusing $5 million in COVID-19 disaster relief funds, which were mistakenly overpaid to her family’s healthcare business. Prosecutors allege she funneled the money into her 2022 congressional campaign through a network of businesses and family members. She has pleaded not guilty to federal criminal charges and denies any wrongdoing in the ethics case.
The Ethics Committee’s investigation concluded that there was substantial evidence of misconduct, including allegations that Cherfilus-McCormick spent the funds on luxury items such as jewelry, a Tesla, and high-end hotels. The committee’s counsel noted that the scope and continuous nature of the conduct, as well as her failure to take responsibility, could be considered aggravating factors.
Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., has vowed to force a vote on Cherfilus-McCormick’s expulsion, regardless of the committee’s recommendation. If expelled, she would be the first lawmaker since former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., to face such a fate. Cherfilus-McCormick has refused to resign, stating that she will not abandon her district during a critical time.
Supporters in her congressional district have urged the Ethics Committee to consider the impact of her potential removal on representation in the district. The committee’s decision could have significant implications for her political future and the district she represents.