
WASHINGTON — After a rare and dramatic public hearing, a special House Ethics subcommittee on Friday found Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., guilty of 25 ethics charges, capping a three-year investigation into allegations she stole millions in federal relief funds and funneled some of that to her congressional campaign.
The secret vote came after Cherfilus-McCormick and her attorney sat for a nearly seven-hour televised House trial, after which Ethics lawmakers deliberated overnight for hours before reaching their decision.
As punishment, the full Ethics Committee could now recommend her censure, reprimand, removal from committees or even expulsion from the House.
Cherfilus-McCormick has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty in a separate federal criminal case.
Even before the trial, GOP Rep. Greg Steube, a fellow Floridian, threatened to force a vote on expelling the congresswoman from the House.
The Ethics Committee said it will hold a hearing after the House’s two-week spring recess to determine any possible sanctions against Cherfilus-McCormick.






