Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida resigned from Congress this week amid a federal indictment and a rare public ethics hearing that found substantial evidence of extensive misconduct. Cherfilus-McCormick resigned while awaiting possible expulsion after Congress determined she had used taxpayer cash to fuel her political rise, according to multiple reports. She resigned just as the House Ethics Committee was preparing to recommend a punishment after it investigated 27 counts of 'violations' and found 'substantial evidence' to support 'extensive misconduct,' according to multiple reports.
Cherfilus-McCormick is facing numerous ethics charges, including failing to follow campaign finance laws, commingling campaign, personal and business funds, and using her position to benefit allies, according to multiple reports. She is also facing federal charges for allegedly stealing $5 million in COVID-19 disaster relief funds, as reported by multiple sources. The indictment said Cherfilus-McCormick purchased a 3.14-carat 'Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond' ring from a New York jeweler for $109,000. Along with co-conspirators, she is accused of steering money from a family health-care company into her campaign coffers through 'straw donations,' according to multiple reports. If convicted, she faces up to 53 years in prison, the US Department of Justice said.
The House Ethics Committee held a rare public hearing into the alleged violations, the first such hearing for a sitting member in more than 15 years, dating to the 2010 ethics trial of Rep. Charles Rangel, according to multiple reports. The hearing gave House investigators an opportunity to lay out findings and make a motion for the panel to adopt their conclusion that Cherfilus-McCormick committed numerous ethics violations. Committee investigators said they collected 'a mountain of evidence' that Cherfilus-McCormick committed the deeds alleged in the federal indictment, according to Sydney Bellwoar, senior counsel for the House Ethics Committee.
Cherfilus-McCormick has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges, according to multiple reports. She called the indictment 'an unjust, baseless, sham indictment,' according to her official statement. Her attorney, William R. Barzee, criticized the House hearing as unfair and appealed for the subcommittee to reconsider the public hearing, citing Fifth Amendment concerns, according to multiple reports. Cherfilus-McCormick argued to have the committee postpone its hearing until after the criminal trial or hold proceedings in private, but the subcommittee denied those requests, according to multiple reports. She expressed disappointment that the committee moved forward with the trial while denying her legal team reasonable time to prepare, according to her official statement.
While we would have to check with the lawyers to see if Cherfilus-McCormick can run using Cell Block C as her residence, it isn't clear that there is anyone in that district who can beat her if she runs again.
The House Ethics Committee has decided that Cherfilus-McCormick is guilty, despite her not-guilty plea, according to multiple reports. Committee investigators said they collected 'a mountain of evidence' that she committed the deeds alleged in the federal indictment, according to Sydney Bellwoar, senior counsel for the House Ethics Committee.
Some Republican lawmakers are threatening a vote to expel Cherfilus-McCormick from the House, according to multiple reports. Fellow Democrats are in an uncomfortable bind, trying to uphold their anti-corruption message while one of their own faces serious charges, according to multiple reports. Massachusetts Democrat Stephen Lynch said if laws were broken, the colleague will have to face consequences, according to a wire report. Republicans may see a political opening, as Cherfilus-McCormick's removal could temporarily widen their razor-thin majority, according to multiple reports.
Cherfilus-McCormick's seat remains empty while Governor Ron DeSantis has yet to say how it will be filled, according to multiple reports. Florida's GOP-controlled legislature is eyeing plans to redistrict the seat, according to multiple reports. Cherfilus-McCormick has filed to run again in the 2028 election on the Democrat line, according to multiple reports. She would face at least five other candidates in the August 18 primary if she continues to run, according to multiple reports. An anonymous political operative told Daily Mail - News that Cherfilus-McCormick is likely the favorite should she stay in the race.
It remains unclear whether Cherfilus-McCormick resigned before or after the public ethics hearing, as reports differ on the timing. The specific punishment the House Ethics Committee will recommend is unknown. Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted by a federal grand jury in Miami in November and is awaiting trial, according to multiple reports, but the trial timeline has not been set. Whether she will actually run for reelection in 2028 given her resignation and legal troubles is uncertain. How Governor DeSantis will fill the vacant seat also remains to be seen.