Rep. Sheila Chafferas McCormick Resigns
Rep. Sheila Chafferas McCormick (D-Fla.) resigned from her congressional position on Tuesday, right before the House Ethics Committee was set to discuss potential sanctions amid her ongoing federal criminal case.
Charfilas McCormick publicized her resignation in a statement released early Tuesday afternoon, and she subsequently sent a formal notice to House Speaker Mike Johnson.
In her statement, she referred to the ethics proceedings as a “witch hunt,” expressing her frustrations.
Her official resignation letter to Speaker Johnson stated, “I do hereby resign from my position as the representative of Florida’s 20th Congressional District in the 119th Congress, effective Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.”
She stated that after much thought and prayer, it seemed best for her constituents and organization for her to step down. However, she emphasized her intention to facilitate a smooth transition and maintain consistent service for the district.
According to Max Cohen from Punchbowl News, House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest (R-Mississippi) noted that since McCormick had resigned, the committee no longer had jurisdiction over her case, leading to the cancellation of any sanctions hearing.
This resignation follows months of escalating legal and ethical scrutiny. A federal grand jury in Miami has indicted Charfilas McCormick, alleging that she and her brother, Edwin Charfilas, misappropriated $5 million in FEMA overpayments linked to a 2021 COVID-19 vaccination contract through their family business, Trinity Healthcare Services.
Prosecutors claim that some of the misused funds were funneled through various accounts, used to finance McCormick’s 2021 Congressional campaign, generate straw donations, and for personal gain. She also faces charges of conspiring with former tax agent David K. Spencer to submit false federal tax returns. Charfilas McCormick has maintained her innocence throughout this ordeal.
On January 30, the House Ethics Committee announced it had found “substantial evidence” pointing to extensive fraud and potential violations of campaign finance laws, criminal laws around campaign finance fraud, and various ethical standards.
Charfilas McCormick contended that the ethics process infringed upon her due process rights and expressed disappointment that proceedings continued with her criminal case unresolved. Republicans, along with Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.), have called for her dismissal, as has Rep. Marie Grusenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), who stated she should either resign or be removed from office.
