“Rather than engage in these political games, I have chosen to stand down,” he said in a statement, accusing his colleagues of a “witch hunt.”
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WASHINGTON – A lawmaker accused of stealing $5 million in federal disaster relief funds abruptly resigned on April 21 amid increased bipartisan scrutiny, intense ethics investigation and criminal charges.
Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfils McCormick, who represents southeast Florida, became the third lawmaker to resign in just a week without risking expulsion.
Her announcement fits with the broader moral cleansing that is plaguing Congress after the April 13 expulsion of two male members, Rep. Eric Swalwell and Rep. Tony Gonzalez, over accusations of sexual misconduct.
Charfilas-McCormick’s resignation came minutes before a House Ethics Committee hearing. The committee concluded last week that the congressman had committed more than 20 ethics violations after a two-year investigation into his conduct.
In a statement, she derided the committee for what she called a “witch hunt” and denied any wrongdoing.
“I cannot stand by and watch as my due process rights are trampled upon and my reputation tarnished,” she said. “Rather than play these political games, I chose to leave and dedicate my time to fighting for my neighbors in Florida’s 20th District.”
Many House Democrats refrained from expressing support for Chafferas McCormick in the wake of the ethics report, a significant sign that her days on Capitol Hill were likely coming to an end.
“This process worked out in a way because she’s no longer a member of Congress,” Rep. Suhas Subrahmanyam, D-Virginia, told reporters after the news broke. “We hope to speed things up even more in the future.”
Charfilas McCormick’s departure will give House Republicans a temporary political cushion against the narrow vote margin. But they may soon lose their scandal as well. Another Florida lawmaker, Republican Rep. Cory Mills, is facing calls from within his own party to leave Congress over a series of scandals, including allegations of financial fraud and an investigation into past domestic violence. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) has vowed to introduce a resolution in the House to expel Mills.
“Another loss,” Mace wrote on social media after Charfilas McCormick resigned. “One more thing.”
This story has been updated to add new information.
Zachary Schermele is a Congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can email us at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and on Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social..
