The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is investigating Florida Democratic Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick over possible violations of campaign finance laws at both the federal and state levels.
Cherfilus-McCormick’s campaign recently enlisted Mark Goodrich, a political consultant with a history of working with Republicans. His involvement dates back to her 2021 special election for the South Florida House seat. According to a legal complaint filed by the Coolidge-Reagan Foundation, her campaign supposedly failed to disclose contributions from organizations linked to Goodrich and lawmakers’ families. (Related: DEM is facing an ethical investigation that allegedly misused Congressional funds)
“It’s as if they think no one will notice,” Dan Backer, a lawyer involved with the case, expressed, referring to the delay in reporting. He also mentioned that the evidence of wrongdoing was already apparent, claiming widespread corruption in this situation.
Corlie McCormick Jr. and Chantrell McCormick—family members of lawmakers—reportedly contributed $725,000 to a nonprofit organization, Truth and Justice Inc. (TJI). Goodrich had direct access to TJI funds and allegedly used them to support Cherfilus-McCormick’s campaign.
Efforts to get comments from Goodrich, Beasley, and Chantrell McCormick went unanswered; though McCormick Jr. indicated he would respond via email but did not follow up.
Former campaign staff confirmed to the Congressional Office of Ethics (OCE) that Goodrich managed both the 2021-22 special elections and the broader 2022 campaign. Cherfilus-McCormick stated that while the committee hasn’t finished its review, a referral does not mean a violation has occurred, expressing her commitment to cooperating with the inquiry.
Besides facing federal scrutiny, Cherfilus-McCormick is reportedly on the radar of Florida Republicans who might redraw state district lines, potentially endangering her secure Democratic seat before the midterm elections in 2026.
Governor Ron DeSantis has described the unusually shaped 20th Congressional District as unconstitutional. He emphasized that if the Supreme Court ruled against this, a redraw would be necessary.
TJI reportedly made three payments totaling $150,000 to a mailing vendor on behalf of Cherfilus-McCormick’s campaign, well above the FEC’s limits. It appears she was aware of Goodrich’s role in at least one of the mailings.
Notably, she had filed a lawsuit against former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness just a week before TJI’s financial contributions came through, alleging his campaign spread defamatory messages and misused taxpayer resources.
Separately, Trinity Health Care Services, where Cherfilus-McCormick was previously CEO, has been linked to a separate complaint regarding a significant contract with the Florida Department of Emergency Management, and allegations concerning misappropriation of funds.
The Coolidge-Reagan Foundation claims that this misallocation was intentional and led to Cherfilus-McCormick concentrating taxpayer dollars toward family enterprises.
Trinity reportedly has not responded to requests for commentary on these allegations.
