WASHINGTON — North Miami Beach Mayor Michael Joseph is being held in contempt of Congress, Local 10 News learned on Wednesday.
The decision by the U.S. House Committee on Ethics, dated June 10, came after the panel, while investigating then-U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Florida, had “sought documents and testimony“ from Joseph, who failed to hand over any papers or appear before the committee despite being issued ”multiple subpoenas."
According to the report, a subcommittee said Joseph’s actions were “egregious and warrants referral to the U.S. Department of Justice.”
The ethics panel made allegations of illegal campaign donations to Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned in April under the threat of possible expulsion, through a political committee chaired by Joseph.
If convicted of the federal contempt charge, a misdemeanor, Joseph could spend up to a year in jail and receive a fine of up to $100,000.
Joseph has also faced separate questions over his conduct as mayor. He narrowly avoided being censured by city commissioners after a city investigation concluded he placed North Miami Beach in “substantial legal, financial and ethical risk.”
The allegations suggested that Joseph asked an employee to alter official government records, a potential violation of state public records laws and city employees raised questions about some of Joseph’s travel expenses to Japan “including an upgrade to First Class resulting in a charge in excess of $3,000 to the City,” an investigation report stated.
The mayor, at the time, called the report “inaccurate.”
Local 10 News contacted Joseph and a city spokesperson seeking comment on Wednesday night. As of publication of this article, we hadn’t received a response.
Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned in April before the House Ethics Committee started proceedings that could have led to her expulsion. She is facing federal charges after being accused of stealing $5 million in federal disaster aid funds.
Meanwhile, Cherfilus-McCormick, who is seeking her old seat back, has pleaded not guilty in her criminal case and denied any wrongdoing.
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
