Democratic Lawmaker Faces Expulsion Following Theft Allegations

A Democratic Congress member might be expelled after federal prosecutors accuse her of stealing millions in federal funds, which she allegedly used to support her campaigns.

The House Ethics Committee is set to hold a public trial for Rep. Sheila Cherfilus McCormick (D-Florida) on Thursday regarding these accusations. According to reports, public trials of this nature are quite unusual, suggesting that McCormick could be in significant jeopardy.

The Department of Justice has charged the defendants, stating they “conspired to steal $5 million and transferred it through multiple accounts to hide its origin.”

McCormick has already been indicted. Back in November, the Justice Department revealed that McCormick, her brother Edwin, and others were charged with defrauding FEMA of millions linked to COVID-19 vaccination staffing contracts.

In 2021, McCormick’s family’s health care business secured a COVID-19 vaccination contract and reportedly received a $5 million overpayment from FEMA. Allegations from the Justice Department indicate that a substantial portion of this sum may have funded her 2021 Congressional campaign and even went towards luxury purchases, including “a giant diamond ring.”

In early February, McCormick pleaded not guilty in federal court, asserting her innocence and labeling the charges as a “distraction.”

Regardless of the House Ethics Committee’s findings, expulsion would require a two-thirds vote from the House. Notably, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries from New York has already voiced his support for her expulsion.

In a statement, Mike Marinella, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, criticized Jeffries, saying, “The so-called ‘leader’ speaks boldly about corruption but suddenly loses his voice when it concerns himself.” This points to broader issues, as McCormick isn’t the only Democrat entangled in scandals related to COVID-19 funds.

Just recently, Georgia state Rep. Sharon Henderson was arrested for allegedly embezzling around $18,000 in COVID relief funds. Similarly, her Democratic colleague, Rep. Karen Bennett, resigned prior to being charged with stealing about $14,000 in similar funds; she later pleaded guilty. Another case involves former state Rep. Dexter Sharper, who faced indictment for almost $14,000 in unemployment fraud associated with COVID-19.