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The U.S. House Ethics Committee opened an investigation Wednesday into Florida Republican Rep. Cory Mills for numerous allegations, including violations of campaign finance laws and sexual misconduct or dating violence.
The investigative subcommittee will look into six different possible rule violations, including that Mills:
- Didn’t disclose required information to the House.
- Violated campaign finance laws in 2022 and 2024.
- Improperly requested or received gifts related to official travel sponsored by a private group.
- “Received special favors by virtue of his position.”
- Committed sexual misconduct or dating violence.
- “Misused congressional resources or status.”
Mills, first elected in 2022 to represent the state’s 7th Congressional District, has denied many of the allegations made against him during his brief time in Congress.
The committee noted that the formation of an investigative subcommittee “does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred.”
Rep. Mace sought censure
The Ethics Committee’s launch of an investigation came just hours after South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a censure resolution against Mills on the floor.
Mills rejected the accusations and made a motion to refer the censure motion to the Ethics Committee, which the House approved on a 310-103 vote. A total of 12 lawmakers voted “present.”
“I think that it is very clear that the actual committee of jurisdiction is in fact the Ethics Committee and cooperating with them is my top priority,” Mills said. “I believe all the accusations and false things that are being said will be proven to be absolutely false in many ways. And I have the evidence and receipts and I look forward to working with them.”
The House voting to formally censure Mills would not have removed him from Congress but would have stripped him of his assignments on the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees.
Mace said during a floor speech her censure resolution addressed elements in an Office of Congressional Ethics investigation into Mills that included several allegations, including that companies he owns hold contracts with the federal government while he remains a member of Congress.
Mace’s censure resolution rebuked Mills for saying he holds a Bronze Star for heroism related to his time in Iraq, stating that “Retired Brigadier General Arnold N. Gordon-Bray has stated he did not personally write, read, or sign the Department of the Army Form 638 recommending Representative Cory Mills for a Bronze Star.”
The resolution goes on to state that “five people who served with Representative Cory Mills, including two men who were reported as having been personally saved by Representative Cory Mills at great risk to his own life as a basis for the recommendation for his Bronze Star in the Department of the Army Form 638, disputed that Representative Cory Mills was involved in their rescue or provided life-saving care.”
The censure resolution also references instances of alleged dating violence by Mills, including a judge issuing a protective order.
Mills posted a statement on social media from his chief of staff and general counsel, Catherine Treadwell.
“General Bray authorized and approved this award and any assertion that I signed General Bray’s paperwork without authorization is at best uninformed and at worst is offensive slander,” Treadwell wrote.
The House Ethics Committee doesn’t issue timelines for concluding its investigations, which often take months or even years.
by Jennifer Shutt, Florida Phoenix
Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.
