Cherfilus-McCormick resigns from Congress before Ethics hearing on sanctions

Washington — Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida resigned from Congress on Tuesday as the House was poised to vote on her expulsion in the coming days. 

Cherfilus-McCormick stepped down shortly before the House Ethics Committee was set to meet to determine whether any punishment was warranted for her alleged misconduct. She has been charged with stealing nearly $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds for her campaign and pleaded not guilty.

“This was not a fair process,” Cherfilus-McCormick said in a statement. “Rather than play these political games, I choose to step away so that I can devote my time to fighting for my neighbors in Florida’s 20th district. I hereby resign from the 119th Congress, effective immediately.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.