The House Ethics Committee announces the opening of an investigation into American Congresswoman of Haitian origin, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, accused of violating campaign finance laws.
The representative of Florida’s 20th district is also alleged to have “failed to file required disclosure forms last year” while participating in the 2022 special elections to fill the late Alcee L. Hastings’s seat (D-Fla.). She was subsequently re-elected for a full term.
The news was reported by The Washington Post, which shared the unanimous vote of the House Ethics Committee to create a subcommittee to investigate allegations that the Haitian-American congresswoman “may have violated campaign finance laws and regulations in connection with her 2022 special election and/or 2022 reelection campaigns; 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.”
The committee did not provide specific information on the accusations against Ms. Cherfilus-McCormick.
In a statement released a few days ago, the press secretary for the 20th district representative tries to calm concerns. “The mere fact of establishing an investigative subcommittee does not itself indicate that any violation occurred,” said Jonathan Levin, adding that “Regardless, the Congresswoman takes these matters seriously and is working to resolve them.”
Before being elected to the U.S. Congress, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick was a successful entrepreneur and CEO of a healthcare company.
According to The Washington Post, citing the Sun Sentinel, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick began self-funding her campaign in 2021 during the special elections. Her company received over “8 million dollars in contracts for providing coronavirus vaccines to underserved communities.”
Cherfilus-McCormick started by loaning millions to her campaign, drawing attention to how she financed it, as reported by The Washington Post. “Cherfilus-McCormick loaned her campaign millions and also reported a major jump in her income — going from reporting $86,000 in 2020 to $6.4 million in 2021,” according to The Washington Post cited the Sun Sentinel.
In 2021, Cherfilus-McCormick reported $5.7 million in income from her healthcare business.
The subcommittee investigating the issue is composed of four members, 2 Democrats, and 2 Republicans: Andrew R. Garbarino (R-N.Y.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.), and Troy A. Carter (D-La.).
It is important to note that there are currently no credible allegations of violations of campaign finance laws. It is also common for candidates to start their campaigns with their own personal funds.
Elected for the first time in 2022 during a special election, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick would go on to win the elections for a full term.
She represents the 20th district of Florida, which includes several predominantly Black constituencies in the west and center of Broward County, part of the southeast of Palm Beach County, including North Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Lauderdale Lakes, Tamarac, Lake Park, Riviera Beach, Plantation, and Dania Beach, as well as several parts of Pompano Beach and Sunrise.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is a member of the Haitian Caucus in Congress and a staunch advocate for the Haitian community in the House of Representatives.
Video
Source: The Washington Post