The House Ethics Committee pledged Monday to conduct a “full and thorough” investigation into “serious and complex” allegations against Rep. Cory Mills (R-Florida), including possible domestic violence, in a statement that provided a rare update on the panel’s handling of the second-term congressman’s case.
The panel has authorized more than 20 subpoenas, collected thousands of documents and contacted dozens of witnesses, according to a statement from Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest (R-Mississippi) and Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (California), its ranking Democrat.
The committee is examining whether Mills violated the House code of conduct or any laws or other rules while serving in Congress, the lawmakers said. The panel first announced a wide-ranging investigation into Mills in November.
Mills, 45, who is running for a third term with President Donald Trump’s endorsement, has denied allegations against him and sought to portray them as politically motivated. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
The allegations include a 2025 incident highlighted in a Washington Post story last month in which D.C. police responded to a report that Mills had assaulted a woman. Monday’s letter notes that police did not charge Mills following the incident but said the “decision not to bring charges is not a finding of innocence or ‘no wrongdoing.’”
The statement Monday also noted that the panel’s investigation includes the circumstances around an October 2025 court-ordered protective order for another woman with whom Mills was involved after she alleged he threatened to disseminate sexually explicit photos and videos of her.
The inquiry is also examining whether Mills violated campaign finance laws during campaigns in 2022 and 2024, improperly solicited or received gifts, used his position to receive special favors, and misused congressional resources or status.
The Ethics Committee’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations has been under scrutiny following developments in some high-profile cases. Last month it publicly requested information from any victims of sexual misconduct by members of Congress and others aware of such incidents.
Last month, two lawmakers facing Ethics Committee investigations related to alleged sexual misconduct — Reps. Eric Swalwell (D-California) and Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) — resigned ahead of possible expulsion votes. Swalwell faces allegations of sexual assault of a former staffer, among other misconduct, which he has denied. Gonzales acknowledged an affair with a staffer who later set herself on fire and died. House rules prohibit sexual relationships between lawmakers and staff members.
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