One step closer to expulsion…
The House Ethics Committee on Friday said it found that 25 of 27 alleged ethics violations against Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) had been proven, escalating pressure on the embattled lawmaker as she faces potential expulsion from Congress.
The finding follows a rare public hearing Thursday, during which the panel considered a motion for summary judgment outlining the allegations tied to Cherfilus-McCormick’s conduct.
In a joint statement, Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.) said the full panel will convene after the House returns from a two-week recess in mid-April “to determine what, if any, sanction would be appropriate for the Committee to recommend.”
Lawmakers widely expect that Cherfilus-McCormick could face a vote to expel her if she does not resign. Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) said he is preparing to bring forward a resolution to expel her once the committee completes its process. Expulsion would require a two-thirds vote of the House, meaning significant Democratic support would be needed.
At the center of the case are allegations that $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds were improperly paid to a company owned by Cherfilus-McCormick’s family, and that millions of those funds were then transferred to her and others and used to finance her congressional campaign.
The ethics investigation is unfolding alongside a federal criminal case. Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted in November along with three others, including her brother, on charges of stealing $5 million in FEMA funds and using the money not only for campaign purposes but also for personal enrichment.
Cherfilus-McCormick has denied wrongdoing. Her legal team argued that key facts remain in dispute and that the ongoing criminal case has limited her ability to respond fully to the Ethics Committee, citing concerns about self-incrimination.
The committee’s motion for summary judgment outlined 27 counts of alleged violations, including conduct that “Does Not Reflect Creditably on the House,” conduct that “Violates the Letter and Spirit of House Rules,” “Failure to Uphold the Laws and Regulations of the United States,” and “Lack of Candor and Diligence in Ethics Investigations.”
During Thursday’s hearing, committee counsel presented a detailed account of the alleged movement of funds. Investigators also concluded that Cherfilus-McCormick failed to file accurate financial disclosures, accepted improper campaign contributions, and provided special favors tied to community project funding requests.
In a closed session, however, the committee declined to approve two of the 27 counts.
One rejected count alleged that Cherfilus-McCormick knowingly submitted false information in Federal Election Commission filings, stating she “had knowledge that some or all information identified as inaccurately disclosed in numerous FEC reports filed on behalf of her campaign were false” and that she “caused her campaign to submit false records to the FEC.”
The committee also did not approve a charge alleging “Lack of Candor and Diligence in Ethics Investigations,” which cited missed deadlines, canceled interviews, and other instances of non-cooperation. Her legal counsel argued during the hearing that previous attorneys had advised her against cooperating due to the risk posed by the federal investigation.
The Ethics Committee is expected to decide in the coming weeks whether to recommend disciplinary action — a decision that could set up a historic expulsion vote on the House floor.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
