(The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from Florida, resigned from Congress Tuesday minutes before a House Ethics Committee hearing that would have decided sanctions against her.
The committee previously found Cherfilus-McCormick guilty on 25 of 27 ethics charges after a nearly three-year investigation into allegations she stole millions in COVID-19 relief money and routed some of it to her congressional campaign.
Federal charges remain in place. Prosecutors say she stole $5 million and bought items like a 3-carat yellow diamond ring with what should have been used as disaster relief money.
Her resignation cut off Tuesday’s sanctions hearing with the Committee on Ethics effectively losing its jurisdiction in the case.
“It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve the people of my district and I remain proud of the work we have accomplished on behalf of our communities,” wrote Cherfilus-McCormick in her resignation letter addressed to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La. “After careful reflection and prayer, I have concluded it is in my best interest, and the interest of my constituents and the institution, that I step aside at this time. I remain committed to supporting a smooth transition and ensuring continuity of service for the district.”
In a social media post, the former congresswoman called the investigation a witch hunt.
“This was not a fair process,” Cherfilus-McCormick wrote. “The Ethics Committee refused my new attorney’s reasonable request for time to prepare my defense. By going forward with this process while a criminal indictment is pending, the committee prevented me from defending myself. I will not stand by and pretend that this has been anything other than a witch hunt. I simply cannot stand by and allow my due process rights to be trampled on, and my good name to be tarnished.”
Chairman Michael Guest, R-Miss., said she had plenty of time to defend herself.
“I will tell you that the committee has worked diligently to investigate this matter,” Guest said Tuesday. “This was not a rush to judgment as some would claim. This was a very deliberate process to gather information into allegations that were extremely serious and extremely complicated. There were multiple witnesses that were spoken to over a two-year period. There were tens of thousands of documents that were subpoenaed, gathered and reviewed. And throughout this process, Ms. McCormick, who has now resigned from Congress, had multiple ample opportunities to present exculpatory evidence to the committee and to address the committee by way of a voluntary statement and also to comply with the subpoena that was issued in this case.”
Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Calif., praised the work of the committee while expressing his frustration. He's the ranking member for the minority party.
“Nobody’s happy," he said. "I don’t think any of us are happy with what we’ve gone through but I am extremely proud to be associated with all of you and I’m grateful for the hard work and diligence of the staff.
On Election Day 2024, Republicans won a 220-215 majority in the House. With Tuesday’s resignation, there are four vacancies, Republicans have a 217-213 majority and former California Republican Kevin Kiley is independent and caucusing with his former party.
Rep. Clayton Fuller, R-Ga., was sworn in April 14 to succeed Margorie Taylor Greene, and on Monday Rep. Analilia Mejia, D-N.J., was sworn in to succeed now-Gov. Mikie Sherrill.
Special elections are scheduled Aug. 4 in the 1st Congressional District of California to get a successor to the late Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa, and Aug. 18 in the 14th Congressional District of California to get a successor to former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell
The latter resigned April 14, the same day as did Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales. No date for a special election in the 23rd Congressional District has been set.
