A Democratic Florida Representative was found guilty by the Ethics Committee.
There was a recent hearing in the matter of Florida Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat who represents Broward County and Palm Beach County in South Florida.
The congressional hearing was to determine whether any counts in the Statement of Alleged Violations (SAV) against the Florida Representative had been proven by clear and convincing evidence. Following the hearing, the adjudicatory subcommittee moved into executive session to deliberate. After careful deliberation that lasted until well past midnight, the adjudicatory subcommittee found that Counts 1-15 and 17-26 of the SAV had been proven.
Florida Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was found guilty by the House Ethics Committee following findings tied to her federal indictment for allegedly diverting more than $5 million in disaster-relief funds into her campaign and personal luxuries, including a reported $100,000+ diamond ring.
Republicans are targeted the political scandal and using it against other Democratic targets. The Republican Party of Florida said that for months as the scandal unfolded, Florida Democrats remained silent.
Despite the severity of the allegations, Democrat members of Congress from all over the state including Orlando, Tampa, South Florida and Central Florida – including Reps. Jared Moskowitz, Darren Soto, Maxwell Frost, and Kathy Castor, who failed to speak out or take a clear public stand as the case progressed.
Rep. Soto is a national target for Republicans, and this scandal could impact his re-election race. “Darren Soto’s silence is deafening,” NRCC Spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole said. “Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was indicted, found guilty by a bipartisan Ethics Committee on 25 counts, and still, he has said nothing. If Soto won’t hold his own accountable for abusing taxpayer dollars, voters should ask why.”
“This scandal exposed more than one elected official. It exposed a pattern of silence,” said Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power. “While millions in disaster-relief funds were allegedly diverted for political use and even a six-figure diamond ring, Florida Democrats said nothing and did nothing.”
The Republican Party of Florida said a statewide petition demanded clear answers on whether Democrats would support resignation, expulsion, or accountability. Those answers never came, they said.
“Leadership means speaking up when it matters, not staying quiet until the outcome is already decided,” the Republican Chair added. “Their silence throughout this process is exactly why voters are losing trust.”
Now that Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was found guilty by the Ethics Committee, the focus turns to accountability beyond one individual, and some Democrats do agree.
A Democratic primary challenger, Elijah Manley, is challenging Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick in South Florida. Born and raised in the heart of Fort Lauderdale’s historic Sistrunk community, Elijah Manley says he knows firsthand the struggles that too many families in South Florida still face today and is running to remove any distractions from delivering results.
It was not hard for Elijah Manley to respond. After his opponent was convicted and found guilty by the House Ethics Committee of serious offenses, it was noted that he has been calling this conduct to question for years. “Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick must resign from office immediately,” the Democratic candidate stated.
It would seem this is one issue where Republicans agree with a Democratic candidate.
“Floridians deserve leaders who will call out corruption in real time, not after the damage is done,” Power said.
View the Statement of Alleged Violations against Democratic Florida Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick online.
