Embattled Dem Calls It Quits Instead of Facing Punishment for Fraud Charges

Florida Democrat Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick announced her resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday ahead of an Ethics Committee hearing that was scheduled to discuss disciplinary measures for her alleged theft of federal emergency funds.

The committee found the congresswoman guilty of 25 ethics charges in March and was meeting today to consider whether to recommend she be expelled from Congress.

“Rather than play these political games, I choose to step away so that I can devote my time to fighting for my neighbors in Florida’s 20th district,” Cherfilus-McCormick wrote in her statement. 

Cherfilus-McCormick continued to reject the charges, calling the investigation a “witch hunt.” 

The Florida Democrat has also been indicted on Department of Justice charges that she “received an overpayment of $5 million in [Federal Emergency Management Agency] funds” through her family’s health care company in 2021.

Additionally, the Justice Department’s indictment charges Cherfilus-McCormick with illegal campaign contributions.

Cherfilus-McCormick previously told The Daily Signal in a statement that she did not plan to resign and “abandon the district.”

Last week, Reps. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, and Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., resigned from Congress after facing accusations of sexual misconduct.

Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., had already announced his intention to force an expulsion resolution against Cherfilus-McCormick.