Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20) might be in deep trouble after a House Ethics Committee adjudicatory subcommittee ruled that she committed dozens of ethics violations related to her campaign finances.
The investigation centers on whether she used a federal overpayment to her family’s health care business to bankroll her campaign for Congress and whether she broke House rules while in office. She also faces a federal criminal case over the issue and has pleaded not guilty.
The subcommittee found she had committed 25 out of 27 violations of which she was accused during a public hearing in Washington on Friday. The panel concluded that Cherfilus-McCormick’s conduct involved serious violations and continued even after she won her seat in Congress, according to Axios.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick stole $5 MILLION of your tax dollars, and she still won’t resign.
— Congressman Greg Steube (@RepGregSteube) March 26, 2026
If you steal from the American people, you don’t belong in Congress. You belong behind bars. pic.twitter.com/BgoLxUbM9D
The scandal involves a $5 million overpayment from a FEMA-funded COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract for Trinity Health Care Services, her family’s business. She allegedly swiped a chunk of the money and used it for personal luxury spending and her political campaign.
House investigators allege that Cherfilus-McCormick commingled campaign, personal, and business funds, filed false or misleading financial disclosures, misused official resources, and used her position to benefit allies and donors.
Attorney for Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) at House Ethics Committee hearing: "Going forward with an adjudicatory hearing when a member has a pending criminal case is a very risky endeavor…The risk is to a violation of her constitutional rights to a fair trial." pic.twitter.com/xDliuYGC5I
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 26, 2026
The lawmaker is accused of using the business to shift money around while blaming paperwork inconsistencies on an unsigned profit-sharing document.
Chefilus-McCormick’s attorneys argue that she couldn’t fully defend herself before the House panel while she has a criminal case pending. Her attorney, William R. Barzee, insisted that if she wishes to exercise her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in the criminal trial, “she must remain silent before the committee,” WSB-TV reported.
'If you steal from the American people, you don’t belong in Congress.': @RepGregSteube is calling for the immediate resignation of Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick over an alleged $5M FEMA theft.
— RightLine (@RightLineNews) March 26, 2026
The @FloridaGOP has launched a statewide petition demanding Democrats break their…
The Ethics Committee will consider various consequences, including censure or a recommendation for removal. Expelling her would require a two-thirds vote in the House, which will put Democrats in a sticky situation given their aggressive push to oust former Republican Rep. George Santos.