Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) has been found guilty by a House Ethics panel of violating 25 of 27 counts against her. The case surrounds alleged embezzlement of millions of COVID-19-related funds.
According to a statement from the Department of Justice, Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother “worked through their family health-care company on a FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract in 2021.” The company received an overpayment of $5 million in FEMA funds, which were not returned but were routed through other accounts.
“Prosecutors allege that a substantial portion of the misappropriated funds was used as candidate contributions to Cherfilus-McCormick’s 2021 congressional campaign and for the personal benefit of the defendants,” the DOJ claimed.
“On March 26, 2026, the adjudicatory subcommittee in the matter of Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick held a public hearing to determine whether any counts in the Statement of Alleged Violations (SAV) had been proven by clear and convincing evidence,” the Committee’s leaders said in a statement. “Following the hearing, the adjudicatory subcommittee moved into executive session to deliberate. After careful deliberation that lasted until well past midnight, the adjudicatory subcommittee found that Counts 1-15 and 17-26 of the SAV had been proven.”
“Shortly after the House returns from the April recess, the full Committee will hold a hearing to determine what, if any, sanction would be appropriate for the Committee to recommend,” the statement notes.
According to the Committee’s motion for summary judgment, ethics violations investigated include 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.”
Some Democrats have called for Cherfilus-McCormick to resign following the decision.
