The House Ethics Committee launched a formal investigation Wednesday into myriad allegations against the embattled Rep. Cory Mills, with the House poised to vote on whether to censure the Florida Republican later tonight.
The bipartisan panel responsible for adjudicating accusations against House members has stood up an investigative subcommittee to review various allegations against Mills. It will be responsible for evaluating whether Mills broke House rules, laws or other standards in violating campaign finance rules; engaging in sexual misconduct or dating violence; or misusing his position or House resources; among other potential charges.
A spokesperson for Mills did not immediately return a request for comment.
Outside allegations against Mills are numerous. He has been accused of stolen valor, benefiting from federal contracts while in office and assaulting a onetime girlfriend in his Washington apartment. That woman has since denied being assaulted, and Mills was never charged.
More recently, another ex-girlfriend accused Mills of threatening to release explicit videos of her. Last month, a judge in Florida granted the woman a restraining order against the lawmaker.
The announcement from the Ethics Committee Wednesday afternoon said members will also consider whether Mills “failed to properly disclose required information on statements required to be filed with the House;” “improperly solicited and/or received gifts, including in connection with privately sponsored officially-connected travel;” or “received special favors by virtue of his position.”
The panel had already been looking at some allegations against Mills, after a referral from what was then the Office of Congressional Ethics. The nonpartisan watchdog found “substantial reason to believe” Mills may have violated campaign finance rules, benefited from federal contracts while in office, or misreported his financial information.
The Ethics Committee’s announcement comes on the same day that Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) introduced a resolution to censure Mills and strip him of his committee assignments. Republican leaders are expected to attempt to refer the matter to the Ethics Committee as a way of tabling the matter on the House floor, and the disclosure of the panel’s investigative steps could help provide political cover to GOP conference members who might have otherwise felt pressure to formally admonish Mills.
Still, the allegations against Mills have become a growing headache for House GOP leaders. Speaker Mike Johnson, asked about the restraining order against Mills last month, replied: “I have not heard or looked into any of the details of that.”
He added: “I’ve been a little busy. We have a House Ethics Committee. If it warrants that, I’m sure they’ll look into that.”
Mills did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Nicholas Wu and Meredith Lee Hill contributed to this report.
