House Ethics Committee Report Alleges Extensive Misconduct by Florida Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick
The House Ethics Committee has released a detailed report concluding there is substantial evidence that Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick engaged in extensive misconduct, including violations of federal law and House rules. The investigative subcommittee, which has been examining the Florida Democrat’s actions for over a year, stated that its findings align with charges filed in a recent federal indictment while also uncovering additional ethical breaches.
According to the committee’s statement, the investigation revealed that Cherfilus-McCormick allegedly violated campaign finance laws, money laundered government funds, and knowingly filed inaccurate financial disclosure statements. The report specifically notes that the congresswoman used her official position to provide “special favors” regarding community project funding requests and attempted to defray official costs by accepting voluntary services, which is prohibited under House rules. The committee emphasized that the scope of the misconduct extended beyond the initial allegations, pointing to a pattern of mixing personal and campaign funds.
In response to the committee’s findings, Representative Cherfilus-McCormick has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing. In a public statement, she argued that the committee took action without providing her a fair opportunity to defend herself, citing the constraints of the parallel legal process. Her legal counsel, Michael Stroud, has formally requested that the House panel pause its proceedings while the criminal case against her moves forward, maintaining that the congresswoman disputes the allegations and expects to be exonerated. Cherfilus-McCormick asserted that her focus remains on delivering results for her constituents despite the ongoing scrutiny.
Representative Cherfilus-McCormick was first elected to Congress in January 2022 to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Alcee Hastings. Her tenure has faced significant legal challenges, including a federal indictment in late 2025 that accused her of misappropriating FEMA funds for her campaign. The Ethics Committee’s release marks a significant escalation in the scrutiny she faces, as the investigative subcommittee noted the evidence supports both the criminal charges and further violations of the Code of Ethics for Government Service.
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