A panel of House lawmakers found “substantial evidence” that Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who’s facing federal fraud charges, committed conduct outlined in the indictment against her.
The investigative subcommittee under House Ethics found violations of campaign finance laws and regulations; criminal laws; the Ethics in Government Act; the Code of Ethics for Government Service; and House rules. The Florida Democrat has already been indicted for siphoning FEMA funds for her campaign, taking part in a straw donor scheme and tax fraud.
“The ISC’s investigation has revealed substantial evidence of conduct consistent with the allegations in the indictment, as well as more extensive misconduct as laid out in the following Statement of Facts in Support of Alleged Violations related to violations of federal laws and regulations, as well as ethical standards,” a report from the investigative subcommittee stated.
A lawyer for Cherfilus-McCormick, Michael Stroud, responded to panel lawmakers by requesting that they pause their proceedings while the criminal case plays out and dismiss the investigation that began in June.
“Representative Cherfilus-McCormick disputes and refutes the allegations and report of the Ethics Committee’s Investigative Subcommittee,” Stroud wrote to the panel.
Stroud did not immediately return a request for comment.
The subcommittee reviewed over 33,000 documents, conducted dozens of interviews, issued 59 subpoenas and met 12 times. Although initially cooperative, Cherfilus-McCormick ultimately invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
An adjudicatory subcommittee will hold a hearing in her case in March.
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