The House of Ethics Panel announced today the formal launch of an investigation into the activities of Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus McCormick. The Representative from Georgia’s 11th District is being investigated for a number of possible violations of House rules and possibly related federal laws in connection to her use of official funds and other forms of government support.
Congresswoman McCormick, who was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016, has faced several allegations since in office, ranging from improper use of campaign funds to influence peddling to conflicts of interest. According to the Los Angeles Times, she has “an unusually close relationship with a local businessman with vested interests in legislation being considered by the House of Representatives.”
Given the serious nature of these allegations, the House of Ethics Panel has taken the step of launching an official investigation. The investigation will look into all matters that are potentially related to Congressman McCormick’s possible violations of House rules in the use of her discretionary funds and other forms of government support.
The bipartisan investigation will use an independent law firm to conduct a detailed review of the alleged misuses of funds and other forms of government support. This examination will need to determine whether the Congresswoman’s actions violated House rules and possibly related federal ethics laws.
In an official statement, the House of Ethics Panel noted that they “treat all members equally” and want to get to the bottom of the situation. The statement also acknowledged that the investigation will take time and that the panel will “remain diligent in its pursuit of the facts.”
The investigation into Congresswoman McCormick’s activities represents a major step forward in cleaning up House of Representatives. While the allegations against the Congresswoman are serious, only a full investigation will be able to determine the truth of the matter. The House of Ethics Panel should be commended for their efforts to get to the bottom of this situation and hold Congresswoman McCormick accountable, if necessary.
