Watch: Rep. Cory Mills defends ethics investigations, saying he hasn’t been convicted of anything

In a rare Seminole County public appearance, U.S. Rep. Cory Mills answered questions about ongoing ethics investigations in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Mills, a Republican representing Seminole and Volusia counties in the U.S. House of Representatives, is under multiple ethics investigations over allegations he “violated various laws, rules, or other standards of conduct.”

“That review includes a February 2025 incident, in which the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department responded to a report that Representative Mills had assaulted a woman with whom he was in a relationship,” the ethics committee wrote in a statement in May of this year. “Although the MPD determined not to charge Representative Mills for assault following this incident, a decision not to bring charges is not a finding of innocence or ‘no wrongdoing.’” 

During a short press conference, Oviedo Community News asked Mills if the results of the investigation would come out before Tuesday’s primary, or before the November general election. 

“We’ve given everything, and trust me, I’m as eager as anyone else to get it done,” Mills said. “We actually don’t have any insight into that whatsoever. But everything’s been wrapped up. We provided every single thing, and look, we’re eager.”

Mills said he “referred himself” to the House Ethics Committee. According to Politico, the investigation came as Mills was facing a censure vote from fellow Republicans that could have stripped his committee assignments. 

The review is also looking at a separate incident with another woman who obtained a restraining order against Mills. 

“The review also includes the circumstances relating to a widely-reported October 2025 court-issued injunction against Representative Mills, which limited his engagement over social media and other forms of contact with a woman, including preventing Representative Mills from going within 500 feet of the woman’s residence or place of employment,” the ethics committee statement reads. 

Mills was asked why voters should look past the allegations. 

“It’s easy to go ahead and look at accusations and allegations,” Mills said. “The fact is that we’re a nation that believes in the rule of law. The presumption of innocence is always there, and the one thing I’ve never been found guilty of is, well anything. And so there’s been a lot of ‘alleged.’ There’s been a lot of accusations.” 

Mills left the press conference after that question. 

According to a report from MSNow, the U.S. Department of Justice has also launched a criminal investigation into Mills. What, exactly, is being investigated is unclear, according to the report. Mills has denied that an investigation is happening.

“We have received media inquiries regarding reports of a potential Department of Justice investigation,” Mills wrote in a statement. “This appears to be a desperate lie from my political opponents. I am not aware of any DOJ investigation, nor has there been any confirmation of any such investigation, and I would fully cooperate if there was one, I have nothing to hide.”   

Mills is the cofounder of Pacem Solutions, a munitions manufacturer and security contractor, according to Business Insider. Mills’ election to the U.S House of Representatives in 2022 was his first run for political office. 

He faces three other Republicans in Tuesday’s primary election: Ryan Elijah, a former Fox 35 host; Michael Johnson, a retired Army veteran who also ran against Mills in 2024; and Sarah Ulrich, a small-business owner.

President Donald Trump has endorsed Mills for reelection. 

Mills spoke to reporters after a roundtable hosted by the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce. The roundtable featured all seven Democrats and Republicans in the primary election for House District 7. Check here to read Oviedo Community News’ 2026 Primary Voter guide. 

See below to watch video of the entire roundtable. 

Abe Aboraya is a Report for America corps member.