A bipartisan House Ethics Committee subcommittee has concluded that Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick improperly diverted more than $5 million in federal disaster relief funds for personal use, including financing her political campaign, according to findings released early Friday.
The eight-member panel found Cherfilus-McCormick guilty on 25 of 27 counts tied to the misuse of funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, marking one of the most serious ethics rulings against a sitting lawmaker in recent years.
The decision followed a rare public hearing held Thursday, an event that underscored the gravity of the allegations. According to The New York Times, it was the first time in 16 years that the Ethics Committee conducted a public hearing involving a current member of Congress. The last such case occurred in 2010, when Rep. Charles Rangel was found guilty of multiple violations.
Lawmakers from both parties emphasized the seriousness of the findings and the potential implications for public trust. Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest and Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier said in a joint statement that the full committee will convene after the April recess to determine what sanctions, if any, should be recommended.
DeSaulnier noted that the investigation spanned several years and involved extensive evidence gathering, including interviews with 23 witnesses and the review of hundreds of thousands of pages of documents. “The allegations before us are extremely serious,” he said, adding that the case raises broader concerns about confidence in the House as an institution.
The fallout could extend beyond internal discipline. According to reporting cited by The Hill, there is growing expectation among some lawmakers that Cherfilus-McCormick could face a vote to expel her from Congress if she does not resign. Expulsion is a rare and significant step, requiring a two-thirds majority vote in the House.
Rep. Greg Steube indicated he is preparing a resolution to initiate that process once the Ethics Committee completes its formal review.
The matter is not confined to congressional proceedings. The Department of Justice has already filed criminal charges against Cherfilus-McCormick and three others, including her brother, in connection with the alleged misuse of FEMA funds. If convicted, she could face a prison sentence of up to 53 years.
While the Ethics Committee has the authority to recommend penalties such as fines or formal rebukes, it typically defers to law enforcement when criminal charges are involved and only rarely recommends removal from office.
Cherfilus-McCormick has denied any wrongdoing. According to The Hill, she also reportedly approached President Donald Trump last year seeking clemency.
The case now moves into its next phase, with lawmakers set to weigh potential consequences in the coming weeks. Beyond the fate of one member, the outcome may also serve as a test of how Congress addresses allegations that strike at the heart of public accountability—particularly when taxpayer funds intended for disaster relief are involved.
