The House Ethics Committee has found clear and convincing evidence that Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick violated House rules, following a rare public hearing on March 26. The Florida Democrat faces potential punishment after allegations she funneled disaster relief funds to her campaign. She denies wrongdoing and awaits a recommendation in April.
On Thursday night, March 26, the House Ethics Committee's adjudicatory subcommittee held a marathon public hearing into allegations against Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla. After deliberations stretching past midnight, the bipartisan panel announced it had found Counts 1-15 and 17-26 of the 27 alleged violations proven by clear and convincing evidence. The violations include improper receipt of funds and commingling personal and campaign money, based on a two-year investigation reviewing over 33,000 documents and 28 witness interviews. Federal prosecutors indicted Cherfilus-McCormick in November 2025, accusing her of stealing $5 million in FEMA overpayments sent to her family's Trinity Health Care Services and using it to fund her 2021 special election campaign. She pleaded not guilty, with her criminal trial possibly starting in April or later. Cherfilus-McCormick's lawyer, William Barzee, sought to delay the hearing or hold it privately, arguing it could prejudice her jury pool. Chairman Michael Guest, R-Miss., rejected this, stating the committee had gathered information for two years and calling Barzee's claims offensive. Barzee defended transfers from Trinity as legitimate under a profit-sharing agreement, though committee counsel noted it was unsigned and no evidence was provided despite requests. Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick stated Friday: 'I look forward to proving my innocence. Until then, my focus remains where it belongs: showing up for the great people of Florida's 20th District.' In April, the committee will recommend punishment to the full House, ranging from censure to expulsion, which requires a two-thirds vote. Republicans have called for expulsion, and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., urged resignation or removal. The last expulsion was Rep. George Santos in 2023.