From Fox News: An embattled lawmaker facing five decades in prison will face the congressional spotlight Thursday during an ethics trial that could result in her expulsion from the House of Representatives.
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., is expected to testify before the House Ethics Committee during a rare public hearing Thursday afternoon. The case is separate from a sprawling federal indictment accusing Cherfilus-McCormick of stealing more than $5 million in disaster relief funds to finance her inaugural congressional run in 2021 and purchase luxury items, including a large diamond ring. The Florida Democrat is also alleged to have participated in a straw donor scheme and conspired to file a false federal tax return.
Cherfilus-McCormick has repeatedly sought to delay the hearing, citing the ongoing federal criminal case and losing her legal representation earlier in March. It is not clear whether the Florida Democrat will be represented by an attorney at the hearing.
Cherfilus McCormick said in a statement sent to Fox News that she is “deeply disappointed” the bipartisan committee chose to proceed with a trial, alleging a violation of her due process rights.
In a separate report, CBS News explained:
The federal charges against Cherfilus-McCormick are related to a massive overpayment to a company, Trinity Healthcare Services, owned by the congresswoman’s family. The company had a FEMA-funded contract to register people for COVID vaccines.
In July 2021, a Florida state agency mistakenly deposited the $5 million overpayment in the company’s bank account, according to the indictment. But instead of returning the overpayment, Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother moved the funds to several other bank accounts “to disguise its source,” the Justice Department said.
In the subsequent months, more than $1.1 million was transferred to accounts connected to her congressional campaign, the indictment said. Cherfilus-McCormick and a campaign staffer allegedly funneled some of the funds to friends and relatives, who donated it back to her campaign disguised as their own personal contributions. Such contributions, known as straw donations, are illegal.
Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted in November 2025 and pleaded not guilty in federal court. She has defiantly proclaimed her innocence and refused calls from Republicans to resign.
Mainstream media has been oddly quiet on the case, and many are pointing out the clear double standard, as the media widely covered the case of former Republican Rep. George Santos, who was ousted from Congress for much less serious charges.
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) spoke to reporters Thursday morning and declared, “Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick stole $5 MILLION of your tax dollars, and she still won’t resign. If you steal from the American people, you don’t belong in Congress. You belong behind bars.”
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick stole $5 MILLION of your tax dollars, and she still won’t resign.
If you steal from the American people, you don’t belong in Congress. You belong behind bars. pic.twitter.com/BgoLxUbM9D
— Congressman Greg Steube (@RepGregSteube) March 26, 2026
This will be the first time the House Ethics Committee holds a public hearing against a lawmaker since 2010. The Ethics panel will be made up of four Republicans and four Democrats.
Ahead of Thursday’s hearing, Cherfilus-McCormick released the following statement to the media:
“I am deeply disappointed the Committee chose to move forward with this trial while denying my legal team reasonable time to prepare. That raises serious concerns about due process and the fundamental rights every American is entitled to under our Constitution.
“While I am limited in what I can address due to an ongoing federal matter, I have cooperated fully within those constraints. I urge the Committee to follow its own precedents and uphold fairness and not allow this process to be driven by politics or numbers.
“I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight and challenge these inaccuracies, when I am legally able to do so. Make no mistake: I am innocent and I am a fighter. My district is made up of fighters. I will continue to fight for the people I was elected to serve.”
Statement of Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) ahead of her House Ethics Committee trial today. Is accused of stealing $5 million in COVID funds.
“I am deeply disappointed the Committee chose to move forward with this trial while denying my legal team reasonable time to…
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) March 26, 2026
WATCH LIVE COVERAGE of the hearing in the video below. It is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. ET. (The hearing is running late.)
In December, the Democrat congresswoman was mocked over a Christmas photo she posted of herself. The photo had been edited to remove a $109,000 ring she had allegedly purchased with stolen FEMA funds.
LMAO
She magic erased the ring she spent $109k in stolen FEMA funds on. pic.twitter.com/kjMk3Ry8jp
— Matt Sharpsteen (@mattsharpsteen) December 25, 2025
“If these allegations are true…this is one of the most brazen abuses of tax payer money in recent memory.”
A grand jury in Miami has returned an indictment charging Democrat Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick with stealing federal disaster money, laundering the proceeds,… pic.twitter.com/e5wDjezxkg
— Scott Jennings Show (@JenningsShow) March 25, 2026
The House Ethics Committee on Thursday will hold a rare public “trial” for Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida, who is accused of stealing $5 million in federal pandemic funds and using some of the money to boost her congressional campaign.…
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 26, 2026
READ MORE from Fox News.
Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter.)
The DML News App: www.X.com/DMLNewsApp
The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast archive is available below, with the most recent on top. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the show by downloading The DML News App or go to Apple Podcasts.
