Democratic congresswoman resigns after campaign finance charges

An investigation found she committed more than 20 ethics violations, including breaking campaign finance laws.

Democrat Sheila Cherfilus-Mc ... has resigned from Congress following an investigation that found she committed more than 20 ethics violations, including breaking campaign finance laws. Cherfilus-McCorm ... is accused of illegally funneling US disaster aid to her election campaign and spending the money on luxury purchases, including a $109,000 (£81,660) 3-carat yellow diamond ring. The 46-year-old Democrat, who was elected to Congress in 2022, has maintained her innocence and vowed to clear her name. "Rather than play these political games, I choose to step away," she said in a social media post announcing her resignation and calling the congressional ethics investigation a "witch hunt". Cherfilus-McCorm ... faced the prospect of a rare vote in Congress to expel her after the House of Representatives' Ethics Committee released its findings. In her statement, Cherfilus-M ... panel did not allow her lawyer to adequately prepare her defense and launched the investigation while she was fighting a criminal case, which ultimately "prevented me from defending myself". The former congresswoman resigned minutes before the House Ethics Committee was to convene and make a recommendation on the punishment for the 25 violations of House rules and ethical standards, the committee determined she committed. When the committee did convene, they read her resignation letter and adjourned. The committee no longer has jurisdiction, as Cherfilus-McCorm ... is no longer a lawmaker. Cherfilus-McCorm ... also faces federal charges for allegedly stealing the $5m (£3.8m) in Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) disaster funds. She and another person named in the federal charging documents allegedly diverted funds from a Fema contract to friends and relatives, who donated the money back to her campaign as purported personal contributions, prosecutors said. That trial was postponed until February 2027. She faces up to 53 years in prison if convicted. Last week, US House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters that he thought Cherfilus-McCorm ... 's fate was sealed on Capitol Hill. "The Ethics Committee has gone through all of its processes, and they found some alarming facts," he said. "I think the facts are indisputable at this point." The committee found "clear and convincing evidence" that Cherfilus-McCorm ... violated House rules, he said. Before her resignation, House Democratic leaders had refrained from publicly criticizing Cherfilus-McCorm ... , saying they would wait to see the ethics committee's recommendation. On Tuesday, the top Democrat in the House, Hakeem Jeffries, said: "She did the right thing on behalf of her constituents." Her departure follows the resignations of two other members of Congress who were at risk of being expelled. Representatives Eric Swalwell, a Democrat, and Tony Gonzales ... Republican, announced within hours of ... The last time a member of Congress was forced from the lower chamber of Congress was New York Republican George Santos in 2023, the first expulsion in 20 years.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) resigned from Congress on April 21, 2026, just before the House Ethics Committee was due to recommend disciplinary action against her. Her resignation came amidst significant pressure from her Democratic colleagues and the likelihood of expulsion, with even fellow Democrats publicly stating their inability to continue supporting her presence in Congress. In her statement, Cherfilus-McCormick criticized the Ethics Committee for what she described as an unfair process and cited her ongoing criminal trial as a barrier to mounting a proper defense. Her resignation precluded a vote on expulsion that could have forced her colleagues into a politically difficult position. Meanwhile, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) is preparing to initiate an expulsion vote for Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.), who faces separate allegations of misconduct, all of which he denies. This is a developing story.

Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned from office on April 21, 2026, just hours before a scheduled vote by Democratic colleagues that could have led to her expulsion. This move followed a House Ethics Committee finding her guilty of 25 ethics violations related to the misuse of federal disaster relief funds for her 2021 congressional campaign. She also faces a federal indictment on 15 felony charges, which could result in a 53-year prison sentence if convicted. Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) was preparing to file a resolution to expel her following the Ethics Committee findings. In her resignation statement, Cherfilus-McCormick criticized the committee for denying her attorney more time to prepare her defense and argued that the proceedings lacked fairness, particularly while her criminal case is ongoing. She emphasized the importance of upholding due process and warned against punishing individuals based on allegations alone. Her resignation marks the third congressional resignation in just over a week, following exits by Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales. Cherfilus-McCormick distinguished her case from theirs, noting their involvement in sexual misconduct allegations, unlike hers which relate to financial impropriety.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat from Florida, resigned from Congress on April 21, 2026, just before a House Ethics Committee hearing that could have recommended her expulsion. She was under investigation for over two years, with findings indicating multiple violations of federal laws and House rules. Cherfilus-McCormick is also facing federal criminal charges for allegedly misusing $5 million in COVID-19 disaster relief funds to make luxury purchases and fund her 2022 campaign. She pleaded not guilty and criticized the ethics process as unjust, calling it a “witch hunt.” Her resignation marks the third in a week, with Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales also stepping down amid sexual misconduct allegations. Despite support from local leaders and the Congressional Black Caucus, the weight of the ethics investigation and a likely expulsion vote pressured her departure. House leaders had been discussing her case since the release of the committee's findings. Expulsion is rare in the House, requiring a two-thirds vote, and Cherfilus-McCorm ... poised to be the seventh member expelled in U.S. history. House Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, strongly condemned her actions.

Sheila Cherfilus-McCorm ... Congress to avoid ethics discipline, claiming the investigation process was unfair and her legal team lacked adequate preparation time. The House Ethics Committee found Cherfilus-McCorm ... committed 25 violations of House rules, including campaign finance violations centered on her use of $5 million in COVID-19 disaster relief funds. Her resignation avoids a likely expulsion vote and comes as two other lawmakers also resigned during ethics investigations, highlighting intensifying scrutiny of congressional misconduct.