Rep. Cory Mills Under Active DOJ Criminal Investigation
Republican Representative Cory Mills of Florida is under an active criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, multiple sources familiar with the matter have confirmed. The development marks the most serious legal threat yet for the embattled congressman, who already faces a House Ethics Committee probe and an expulsion resolution from a fellow Republican.
The Investigation
According to Fox News, a source familiar with the matter confirmed that the DOJ is investigating the Florida lawmaker, though the specific nature of the investigation has not been publicly disclosed. NBC News independently confirmed the probe with three people familiar with the matter.
Mills, who serves on the House Armed Services and Intelligence committees, has not been charged with any crime and has denied wrongdoing in connection with prior allegations.
A Cascade of Allegations
The DOJ investigation adds to an extraordinary array of legal, ethical, and political challenges facing the Florida Republican, who was first elected in 2022 and is seeking a third term in November.
The House Ethics Committee has been investigating Mills since November 2025 regarding allegations of sexual misconduct, dating violence, campaign finance violations, and potential conflicts of interest involving his business, Pacem Defense. The traditionally secretive panel confirmed in April that its probe remains ongoing.
In February 2025, Mills was investigated by D.C. Metropolitan Police for allegedly grabbing, shoving, and pushing a woman out of his luxury penthouse. Police sought an arrest warrant, but interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin did not sign it. The alleged victim later recanted details of the incident.
Expulsion Resolution and Stolen Valor Claims
In April 2026, Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina filed a resolution to expel Mills from Congress, accusing him of sexual misconduct, misrepresenting his military service, campaign finance violations, and illicit involvement in federal contracts. “The swamp has protected Cory Mills for far too long and we are done letting it slide,” Mace said in a statement, as reported by NOTUS.
A sweeping investigation by Mother Jones published in February 2026 documented extensive allegations of stolen valor. Multiple former military colleagues and journalists have questioned Mills’ claims about his Bronze Star and his purported status as an Army Ranger and JSOC member. Army records show he attended but did not complete Special Forces selection.
Two soldiers Mills claims to have saved in Iraq have disputed his account. Sgt. First Class Joe Ferrand provided a handwritten statement calling Mills’ claim that he saved his life “false and a fabrication. The act never took place. The event never happened.” Joe Heit, another soldier Mills claims to have rescued, told reporters that the congressman “didn’t save my life” and accused him of “stealing the tin off of his chest to advance his own political career.”
Financial Troubles and National Security Concerns
Court records show that Mills’ company, Pacem Solutions, which specialized in selling grenades to Middle Eastern governments, is deeply in debt — owing $48 million to a Canadian lender. The company’s munitions plant was shut down twice for failing to pay workers’ compensation insurance. Mills also faced eviction in 2025 for unpaid rent, accumulating over $85,000 in arrears.
These financial vulnerabilities have raised national security concerns. John Sipher, a former CIA officer who spoke with Mother Jones, described Mills as a “textbook example of someone who poses a counterintelligence threat,” noting his financial problems, dishonesty, and access to classified briefings as a member of the House Intelligence Committee.
Political Implications
The DOJ investigation creates a complex political situation for House Republican leadership. Mills has received former President Donald Trump’s “Complete and Total Endorsement” and represents a safely Republican district in Central Florida. However, with the GOP holding a slim House majority, the party faces a delicate balancing act between supporting an endorsed incumbent and maintaining ethical standards.
If convicted or expelled, a special election would be held for Florida’s 7th Congressional District. Mills has denied all prior allegations and has not been charged with any crime in connection with the DOJ probe.
What to Watch For
The specific focus of the DOJ investigation remains unclear, including whether it relates to the Ethics Committee probe or is a separate matter. Key questions include whether formal charges will be filed before the November 2026 election, whether House leadership will take action regarding Mills’ committee assignments, and how the investigation will affect his re-election campaign. The case adds to a growing pattern of members of Congress facing criminal investigations while remaining in office, testing the boundaries of accountability in American politics.