Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Florida's 20th district, resigned from Congress on Tuesday just 20 minutes before the House Ethics Committee was scheduled to consider her expulsion. She faces criminal charges for allegedly stealing $5 million in federal relief funds, with prosecutors claiming she used some of the money to finance her political campaigns. The ethics panel found her responsible for 25 violations related to the alleged fraud. Cherfilus-McCormick has pleaded not guilty and denies any wrongdoing, calling the charges a "witch hunt." In a post on X, she stated, "I will not stand by and pretend that this has been anything other than a witch hunt. I simply cannot stand by and allow my due process rights to be trampled on, and my good name to be tarnished." She added, "Rather than play these political games, I choose to step away so that I can devote my time to fighting for my neighbours in Florida's 20th district. I hereby resign from the 119th Congress, effective immediately." Her criminal trial is scheduled to begin in February 2027. She is not the first lawmaker to step down ahead of expulsion proceedings; Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales previously resigned before potential expulsion votes over separate allegations of sexual misconduct.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick claims her resignation protects her due process rights, yet she stepped down before a vote she called politically motivated. She still faces trial in February 2027, and her departure leaves Florida's 20th district without its elected representative. Voters in that district must now prepare for a special election while awaiting resolution of the criminal case. Her assertion of innocence clashes with her decision to resign under ethics scrutiny.
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