Indicted US House Democrat to step back from key committee role

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick will step down from a key committee leadership role as she faces federal charges, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ office said Thursday.

"Pursuant to the Rules of the House Democratic Caucus, Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick will take leave from her position as Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa while this matter is ongoing," spokeswoman Christie Stephenson said in a statement.

The statement came a day after a federal grand jury in Miami indicted Cherfilus-McCormick and several associates on charges that they stole $5 million in federal disaster funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), laundered the money, and used it to support her 2021 congressional campaign.

If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick faces up to 53 years in prison.

Cherfilus-McCormick, for her part, called the indictment “an unjust, baseless sham," saying she is innocent.

"The timing alone is curious and clearly meant to distract from far more pressing national issues. From day one, I have fully cooperated with every lawful request, and I will continue to do so until this matter is resolved," the Florida Democrat said in a statement.