Florida Democrat under House ethics investigation over alleged campaign finance violations

The House Ethics Committee on Wednesday announced an investigation into Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., over alleged campaign finance law violations  

According to a statement put out by the committee, the investigation was prompted by a referral from the Office of Congressional Ethics about Cherfilus-McCormick allegedly failing to submit disclosures and carrying out improper hiring practices. 

A specific allegation claims that Cherfilus-McCormick had someone who wasn't working in her office handle official work.

"The Committee notes that the mere fact of establishing an Investigative Subcommittee does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred," the House Ethics Committee wrote in its statement. 

“As the Ethics Committee said in its statement, the mere fact of establishing an investigative subcommittee does not itself indicate that any violation occurred,” her spokesperson, Jonathan Levin said, according to Politico. “Regardless, the Congresswoman takes these matters seriously and is working to resolve them.”

Inside Elections reported that the Congresswoman had used office funds to run advertisements during her campaign. That is allowed but may blur some ethical lines.