Democrats just took a major blow, with Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) having just been indicted.
The Florida Democrat has been accused of stealing FEMA relief funds for her own campaign use.
Sadly, this is far from the first time the lawmaker's ethics have been called into question.
Cherfilus-McCormick first entered office in 2022, and she has more or less been in trouble ever since.
In 2023, the House Ethics Committee announced that it was investigating possible campaign finance violations on the part of her campaign.
The committee announced that it was investigating whether the Florida congresswoman had "failed to properly disclose required information on statements required to be filed with the House; and/or accepted voluntary services for official work from an individual not employed in her congressional office.”
Jonathan Levin, a spokesperson for Cherfilus-McCormick, tried to temper the news, stating, "As the Ethics Committee said in its statement, the mere fact of establishing an investigative subcommittee does not itself indicate that any violation occurred.”
That probe continues, but Cherfilus-McCormick just found out she has more legal problems on her hands.
She has been indicted on allegations that she stole millions in disaster relief funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
According to the filing, she, along with her brother, Edwin Chefilus, were among a larger group who conspired to steal $5 million from the agency.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, "Using disaster relief funds for self-enrichment is a particularly selfish, cynical crime. No one is above the law, least of all powerful people who rob taxpayers for personal gain. We will follow the facts in this case and deliver justice."
The filing stated that the money was being rerouted through various accounts, which were then deposited into the lawmaker's congressional campaign or used for personal benefit. The GOP, of course, pounced, demanding her resignation. Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) was among the first to go after the Democrat, posting. “Tomorrow morning I will be filing a privileged motion to censure Rep. Cherfilus McCormick and remove her from all committees.”
He continued, “This is one of the most egregious abuses of public trust I have ever seen. Stealing $5 million in taxpayer disaster funds from FEMA of all places is beyond indefensible. Millions of Floridians have relied on FEMA after devastating hurricanes, and that money was supposed to help real disaster victims.”
He further stated that if she is found by the House Ethics Committee to have committed the violations of which she is suspected, he would move to have her expelled from Congress.
This, sadly, is what our government has become. It is filled with nothing but social media stars, inside traders, and thieves. They do not seek election to serve We the People; they seek office to find a way to make themselves rich, even if it means bending the rules a bit. Or, in this case, just snapping them over their knee.
