The House Ethics Committee ruled Friday that Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democratic representative from Florida, committed 25 violations of House rules and standards. The bipartisan subcommittee, made up of four Democrats and four Republicans, sustained 25 of 27 counts following a seven-hour public hearing Thursday that stretched into early Friday morning.

The violations include 18 counts of campaign finance infractions, five counts of false financial disclosures, three counts of misusing official funds, and one count of lack of candor with the committee. Investigators alleged Cherfilus-McCormick funneled more than $5 million in federal COVID-19 disaster relief funds, received as an overpayment by her family-owned Trinity Health Care Solutions, into her 2022 congressional campaign. The money passed through family members, staff, and illegal personal loans, with some spent on luxuries such as a 3.14-carat yellow diamond ring.

Cherfilus-McCormick represents Florida's 20th Congressional District, a deep-blue area in southeastern Florida. She won a special election in January 2022 to replace the late Rep. Alcee Hastings after a Democratic primary victory by just five votes, and secured a full term later that year. The representative now seeks a fourth term.

During the rare public hearing, the first in nearly 15 years, Cherfilus-McCormick invoked her Fifth Amendment right and declined to testify. Her attorney, William Barzee, argued the funds represented legitimate profits from the family business under oral profit-sharing agreements common in her Haitian American community. He accused the panel of relying mainly on bank records and sought a delay until after her federal trial. Committee members from both parties pushed back, with Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.) calling the lack of documentation claims "strained credibility" and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) stating, "You can’t crime your way into legitimate power."

The ethics probe, spanning over two years, involved denied records requests and subpoenas. Separately, Cherfilus-McCormick faces federal indictment on 15 counts since November 2025 for the same scheme, including money laundering. She has pleaded not guilty, with trial set for April 2026. Her brother, the former chief of staff, and the accountant also face charges.

The full Ethics Committee will convene after the House's April recess to recommend sanctions, which could range from fines to censure or expulsion. Ethics Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.) stated, "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." Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) plans to push for an expulsion vote.

Cherfilus-McCormick responded, "I look forward to proving my innocence. Until then, my focus remains where it belongs: showing up for the great people of Florida’s 20th District." Barzee maintained, "She’s absolutely innocent." The ruling adds pressure on Democrats amid midterm election preparations.