House Ethics Report Details $5M Theft by Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick

The U.S. House Ethics Committee released a report on Thursday detailing substantial evidence that Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from South Florida, engaged in multiple financial misconducts, including violations of campaign finance laws, money laundering of government funds, and inaccurate financial disclosures. The findings, which align with a federal indictment against her, stem from an investigation spanning more than a year and could lead to further disciplinary action within Congress.

The committee's 59-page statement of alleged violations accuses Cherfilus-McCormick of stealing over $5 million in COVID-19 disaster relief funds originally disbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and administered through the Florida Division of Emergency Management. According to the report, the congresswoman received overpayments but did not return them. Instead, she allegedly funneled the money through her consulting firm and family-owned limited liability companies, using portions for illegal contributions to her 2021 congressional campaign, purchases of luxury items such as designer merchandise from Tiffany & Co. and a Tesla vehicle, and high-end travel expenses.