Embattled congresswoman resigns to avoid ethics panel sanctions and ‘political games’

Cherfilus-McCormick has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges and says she is not guilty of ethics violations, either - (Getty Images)

Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida is resigning from Congress to avoid formal discipline by the House following an ethics investigation into her use of campaign funds.

In a long social media post on Tuesday, Cherfilus-McCormick denounced the internal inquiry as unfair. She claimed the House Committee denied her and her new attorney adequate time to prepare a defense.