Particle.news
Download on the App Store

House Ethics Panel Sets Rare Public Hearing in Cherfilus-McCormick Case as Expulsion Push Pauses

The committee says its probe found substantial evidence of financial misconduct tied to roughly $5 million in overpayments.

Overview

  • An adjudicatory subcommittee scheduled a March 5 hearing to decide whether counts are proved by clear and convincing evidence, with the chair noting such hearings are generally open and televised proceedings are uncommon.
  • The investigative report, spanning 59 pages and 27 counts, followed 59 subpoenas, over 33,000 documents, and 28 interviews, and alleges Trinity Health Care Services retained about $5.8 million and routed funds into her campaign.
  • Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick has pleaded not guilty and rejects the findings, saying the ongoing criminal case has limited her ability to rebut the Ethics report.
  • Rep. Greg Steube is holding off on forcing an expulsion vote until after the Ethics process, acknowledging he lacks the Democratic support needed for the two-thirds threshold.
  • Federal prosecutors indicted Cherfilus-McCormick in November, alleging her company kept roughly $5 million in COVID-related overpayments and that some of the money was used to finance her congressional bid.