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Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick

A newly released U.S. House Ethics Committee report accuses U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of extensive financial misconduct tied to disaster relief funds and campaign reporting, escalating scrutiny of the South Florida lawmaker as she faces separate federal criminal charges.

Cherfilus-McCormick represents Florida’s 20th Congressional District, which includes Tamarac along with portions of Broward and Palm Beach counties. The House committee’s ethics findings could carry political consequences for the congresswoman as House officials weigh potential disciplinary action.

The committee report outlines 27 alleged violations of House rules and federal disclosure standards, including money laundering. Investigators say companies connected to Cherfilus-McCormick received millions of dollars through a COVID-era emergency contract and that significant portions of those funds were later transferred into accounts linked to the congresswoman and members of her family.

Cherfilus-McCormick invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination after being subpoenaed by the committee for her testimony, the report states.

A spokesperson for the congresswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to the report, the allegedly laundered money came from a FEMA-funded vaccination staffing contract issued through Florida’s emergency management system in 2021. Ethics investigators allege the funds moved through company accounts into personal and consulting entities associated with Cherfilus-McCormick.

The report further alleges widespread inaccuracies in campaign finance filings. Investigators say the congresswoman’s campaign committee failed to properly disclose hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenditures and misreported numerous transactions, including incorrect payees and amounts, on filings submitted to the Federal Election Commission.

House investigators reviewed tens of thousands of documents and interviewed multiple witnesses during the inquiry, which spanned activity connected to her 2021 campaign and early tenure in Congress. Investigators said they found substantial evidence supporting the allegations.

The report says investigators substantiated allegations the congresswoman laundered money through the public health care company she founded and led, Trinity Health Care Services.

The report also says Cherfilus-McCormick demonstrated a “lack of candor and diligence” while under investigation. Her attorneys produced more than 2,600 documents in cooperation with investigators and “initially indicated she was available for a voluntary interview,” the report states.

“The day prior to the interview, [the congresswoman] informed the ISC [investigative subcommittee] she was no longer available,” the report states. “The ISC took the extraordinary step of subpoenaing Respondent for her testimony. Respondent then invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination following receipt of a subpoena [for testimony and documents] … The ISC believes that Respondent did not treat the allegations of misconduct… with sufficient seriousness.”

The House ethics investigation runs parallel to a federal criminal case announced last year. Prosecutors charged Cherfilus-McCormick with crimes related to alleged theft of government funds and an illegal donor scheme connected to her campaign. She has pleaded not guilty and has denied any wrongdoing.

Her office has previously characterized the allegations as politically motivated and said she intends to contest them in court. The ethics process now moves to an adjudicatory phase, where House officials will review the findings and determine whether disciplinary action is warranted.

Under House rules, potential consequences range from reprimand to expulsion. Any expulsion vote would require support from two-thirds of the chamber. No timetable has been announced for a final decision.

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Author Profile

Kevin Deutsch

Kevin Deutsch is an award-winning journalist and author of two nonfiction books. He covers general assignment news and Jewish community issues for Talk Media. He has also worked as a staff writer at The Miami Times, the Rio Grande SUN, the New York Daily News, Newsday, The Miami Herald, The Palm Beach Post, The Riverdale Press, and Bronx Justice News.