A panel of House Ethics Committee members found Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) guilty of financial misconduct and other violations after a rare public hearing.
The hearing follows a multi-year investigation into allegations that the Florida Democrat stole millions in FEMA funds and used some of the money to finance her congressional campaign.
The eight-member subcommittee found Cherfilus-McCormick guilty of 25 ethics charges.
"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," Ethics Chairman Michael Guest (R-MS) and Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) said in a joint statement, according to the New York Post.
BREAKING: An ethics panel finds most violations proven against Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, who is accused of stealing FEMA funds. https://t.co/fYMyOBLKV0
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 27, 2026
More from the New York Post:
That recommendation could be that the full House censure Cherfilus-McCormick — or even expel her from Congress.
The vote tally of the subcommittee — which consists of four Democrats and four Republicans — was not provided by the ethics panel, though members from both parties posed tough questions to the South Florida Democrat’s defense attorney during the hearing.
The lawyer, William Barzee, tried unsuccessfully to postpone the committee’s consideration of the violations, noting that Cherfilus-McCormick will be headed to federal trial next month, at which she will face charges based on many of the same allegations.
In November 2025, federal prosecutors indicted the congresswoman on 15 counts related to her allegedly stealing $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funding to assist her congressional campaign.
Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison if convicted of all charges.
NBC News noted:
The decision likely sets the stage for Cherfilus-McCormick’s ouster from Congress. Even before the trial, GOP Rep. Greg Steube, a fellow Floridian, had threatened to force a vote on expelling the congresswoman from the House.
After Friday’s development, several Democrats publicly called on Cherfilus-McCormick to either resign or be expelled.
“You can’t crime your way into legitimate power,” Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., posted on X. “Since she was found guilty, she should resign or be removed.”
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., did not answer when asked Friday if Cherilus-McCormick should remain in the House.
ADVERTISEMENTThe Ethics Committee said it will hold a hearing after the House's two-week spring recess to determine any possible sanctions, which could include censure, removal from committees or expulsion.
