Overview
- Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick, who resigned Tuesday minutes before a House Ethics Committee sanctions hearing, remains on the ballot after filing April 17 to run again as a Democrat in Florida’s 20th District.
- The Ethics Committee previously found her responsible for 25 violations tied to misuse of COVID disaster funds and disclosure breaches after a two‑year probe that issued about 58 subpoenas, interviewed 28 witnesses, and reviewed more than 33,000 documents.
- She also faces a federal indictment alleging she and relatives stole about $5 million in disaster aid and routed some to personal spending, including a diamond ring, with a trial set for February 2027; she has pleaded not guilty and calls the process a witch hunt.
- Her resignation follows mid‑April exits by Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales over sexual‑misconduct allegations, underscoring that stepping down ends the Ethics Committee’s jurisdiction and can head off an expulsion vote that requires a two‑thirds House majority.
- Leaders in both parties say they are weighing reforms to move investigations faster and strengthen reporting channels, while the panel’s new probe of Rep. Cory Mills and an expulsion resolution filed against him signal more cases still in the pipeline.