The U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously on Tuesday to hold two individuals in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with subpoenas issued by the House Ethics Committee. The contempt citations target North Miami Beach Mayor Michael Joseph and Hector Roos, a former aide to former Representative Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick, D‑FL.
Congressional action
Committee Chairman Rep. Michael Guest (R‑MI) said the refusal to provide documents and testimony undermines the Committee’s duty to protect the integrity of the House. “Mr. Roos and Mr. Joseph willfully failed to comply with multiple subpoenas,” Guest stated, adding that their conduct warrants referral to the Department of Justice for possible criminal prosecution.
A contempt of Congress conviction can result in a fine of up to $100,000 and up to one year in jail. The decision now moves to the Department of Justice, which will determine whether to pursue criminal charges.
Allegations against Cherfilus‑McCormick
The investigation stems from a federal indictment against former Representative Sheila Cherfilus‑McCormick, who resigned earlier this year amid pressure from both parties. Prosecutors allege that Cherfilus‑McCormick and her brother Edwin conspired to misappropriate $5 million in emergency FEMA funds intended for COVID‑19 vaccination staffing. The DOJ claims a substantial portion of the overpayment was funneled into Cherfilus‑McCormick’s 2021 congressional campaign and for personal benefit.
Guest accused Roos of filing inaccurate reports with the Federal Election Commission while working for the former congresswoman. He also alleged that Mayor Joseph, as president of a company that provided corporate funds for Cherfilus‑McCormick’s campaign, improperly influenced staff to submit community‑funding project requests that benefited his own interests.
Local reaction
North Miami Beach officials have not commented on the contempt vote. The mayor’s office previously cited attorney‑client privilege as a reason for not providing requested documents, a claim that House members argued does not excuse non‑compliance with a lawful congressional subpoena.
Democratic Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D‑CA) praised the vote, saying, “At a time when public confidence in Congress is at historic lows, enforcing lawful congressional process is vital to delivering swift transparency and accountability for any misconduct.” The measure passed by voice vote, meaning no individual lawmaker objected to the record.
What’s next?
The Department of Justice will review the contempt referrals and decide whether to bring criminal charges. If pursued, the case could set a precedent for how aggressively Congress enforces its investigative authority against officials who resist oversight.
Meanwhile, the broader investigation into Cherfilus‑McCormick’s alleged fraud continues, with the former representative pleading not guilty and awaiting trial.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
