An indicted member of Congress topped one watchdog’s list of top ethics violators of 2025 that also includes nonprofits and the mayor of the nation’s capital.
The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, a conservative-leaning watchdog group, is closing out the year with a short list based on numerous ethics complaints against individuals and groups.
Here are the four who made the ethics group’s dishonor roll for 2025.
1. Cherfilus-McCormick Indicted
FACT filed a complaint against Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., in early 2025 with the Office of Congressional Conduct alleging her family-owned company, Trinity Healthcare Services, got $5.8 million in overpayments from the state of Florida’s Department of Emergency Services.
Much of that money came through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. So, FACT also referred the matter to the Department of Justice.
The state agency and Trinity reached a settlement to repay the money over a 15-year period.
In November, a federal grand jury indicted Cherfilus-McCormick on 15 counts. Her arraignment was reportedly scheduled for Monday but was rescheduled for Jan. 20.
After the charges, Cherfilus-McCormick asserted, “This is an unjust, baseless, sham indictment—and I am 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,” Cherfilus-McCormick continued. “I am deeply grateful for the support of my district, and I remain confident that the truth will prevail. I look forward to my day in court. Until then, I will continue fighting for my constituents.”
Cherfilus-McCormick’s office did not respond to inquiries for this story.
2. DC Mayor Goes to Qatar
FACT made a complaint this year about a 2023 trip by Washington D.C. Mayor Murial Bowser to Doha, Qatar.
The FACT complaint alleged that Bowser’s office first mischaracterized the funding source of the trip, as well as costs for hotels, flights, and hospitality. The complaint also said the trip lacked documented public purpose or transparent disclosure. The trip was funded by the Qatar government for a climate conference.
ABC 7 News in Washington first reported that the government of Qatar paid $61,930 for Bowser and four staff members to fly to the Middle East in 2023. Bowser has defended the trip and said she takes trips around the country and the world to help the D.C. economy.
The Justice Department is reportedly investigating the visit, but Bowser is not a target.
Bowser’s office did not respond to an inquiry for this story.
3. Stacey Abrams-Tied Nonprofits
FACT filed several complaints against two nonprofits tied to twice-failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.
FACT notes that one of those organizations, the New Georgia Project, shut down, which is “a closure FACT cites as validation of the serious financial concerns raised in its filings,” the group said.
The Daily Signal reached out to the New Georgia Project by the email and phone number listed on the website that still exists. The group’s most recent press release was in September 2024.
The other Abrams-tied group is Fair Fight Action, which still operates. No one from the organization responded to phone and email inquiries.
A spokesperson for Abrams did not immediately respond to email inquiries from The Daily Signal for this story.
FACT alleged the organizations misused their tax-exempt status by blurring the lines between charity and political activism. FACT’s complaints argued that the two organizations engaged in campaign-like activity and political advocacy without proper disclosure.
4. Whitehouse Alleged Conflicts
In February, FACT filed a complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee against Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., that individuals with interests before the Senate paid $7 million to a nonprofit Ocean Conservancy run by Whitehouse’s wife Sandra Whitehouse.
Ocean Conservancy has gained $14 million in government grants since the senator’s wife began working there in 2008, according to FACT.
“The concern is that these contributions came from parties potentially impacted by legislation or oversight, constituting a serious conflict of interest, especially if Whitehouse’s official actions or influence played any role in directing the funding,” FACT says in the ranking.
Whitehouse’s spokeswoman notes that the Senate Ethics Committee reviewed the matter and dismissed the complaint.
“FACT’s dark-money donors can’t be too pleased that the group’s highlight of the year is an erroneous complaint that was long ago dismissed by Senate Ethics,” Whitehouse communications director Meaghan McCabe told The Daily Signal.
