U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) is projected to face an expulsion vote in the House of Representatives on the 21st, stemming from allegations of stealing $5 million in federal disaster relief funds. The development follows a rare public hearing by the House Ethics Committee, which found "substantial reason to believe" the congresswoman committed multiple violations. The committee formally proved 25 of 27 ethics charges against her.
The accusations center on a $5 million overpayment received by Trinity Healthcare Services, a family-owned company, for a COVID-19 vaccination staffing contract funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Prosecutors allege that instead of returning the funds, Cherfilus-McCormick and co-defendants laundered the money through various accounts. A significant portion was then allegedly funneled into her 2021 congressional campaign, including through illegal straw donations, and used for personal luxury items.
In November 2025, a federal grand jury in Miami indicted Cherfilus-McCormick on 15 counts, including theft of government funds, money laundering, and tax fraud, charges that could lead to up to 53 years in prison if convicted. She has consistently pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining her innocence. Her legal team unsuccessfully argued before the Ethics Committee to delay proceedings until her criminal trial, citing concerns about her right to a fair trial.
The House Ethics Committee, in its report, detailed "substantial evidence of conduct consistent with the allegations" and found that "nearly every substantial transaction" to her campaign aligned with transfers from her healthcare company. The committee's adjudicatory subcommittee concluded its findings after a marathon public hearing, marking only the second such public ethics trial in 16 years. House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the severity of the allegations, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stressed the presumption of innocence.
While the expulsion vote is anticipated, the congresswoman's federal criminal trial has been delayed until February 2027, pushing it beyond the 2026 midterm elections. Expelling a member of the House requires a two-thirds vote, a rare action last seen with former Representative George Santos. Representative Cherfilus-McCormick's lawyer, William Barzee, stated she was aware of the $5 million deposit but "wasn't aware that the money that came in had come in because of a mistake...until much, much later."
