Washington, D.C. --- March 20, 2025 --- Today, the non-partisan ethics watchdog, the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT), filed a complaint requesting the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) immediately extend its ongoing investigations into Florida Congresswoman Shelia Cherfilus-McCormick. Since her election to Congress Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick has been immersed in a series of investigations by the OCE and the House Ethics Committee. Recently revealed evidence also suggests she may have violated additional laws and ethics rules regarding over $5 million of government funds.
According to the State of Florida, it mistakenly overpaid Trinity Health Care Services $5.8 million while Cherfilus-McCormick was the CEO of the company and she is “alleged to have retained the funds and potentially used them to finance her 2021 congressional campaign.” In its court case the state of Florida puts forth the following: The State was supposed to pay Trinity $50,000 but due to a clerical error made a payment of over $5 million. Trinity accepted this payment that was 100 times greater than it knew it should have received. Around the same time as the State’s overpayment, Cherfilus-McCormick’s income increased suddenly and dramatically by more than $6 million (all from businesses related to her, her family members, and Trinity) and she loaned more than $6 million to her campaign for the U.S. House. Although the State requested it immediately repay the excess amount, Trinity did not.
As outlined in FACT's complaint, several ethics rules are implicated here including that a Member must ensure any organization under their control, such as campaigns and businesses, comply with all applicable laws. A company cannot legally accept or keep an overpayment from the State, let alone one that the amount alone clearly demonstrates was paid in error and knowingly received by the entity.
“The facts, the timeline, and the dollar amounts themselves appear plainly incriminating and demand further investigation by the OCE. While she is currently being investigated for numerous other issues, one that involves millions of taxpayer-funds is where the Ethics Committee ultimately must use its powers to determine precisely what occurred. Following this thorough investigation FACT hopes that the truth is brought to light and, if necessary, the Committee acts accordingly,” said Kendra Arnold, Executive Director of FACT.
A full copy of the complaint can be found HERE.
Exhibits for the complaint: The State of Florida's legal complaint can be found here and the OCE's first investigation can be found here.
FACT is a nonprofit organization promoting accountability, ethics, and transparency in government and civic arenas. For more on FACT, visit: http://www.factdc.org
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