Cory Mills under criminal investigation by DOJ: report

Florida congressman Cory Mills is reportedly under criminal investigation by the Department of Justice, according to multiple news outlets, adding to a growing list of legal and ethics controversies surrounding Mills as he seeks reelection.

NBC News reported the existence of the investigation on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter, with several outlets then clarifying a criminal probe, at least part of which concerns Mills' finances. When contacted by reporters, Mills also said, "I know nothing about it," later adding that the Federal Election Commission had previously dismissed campaign finance matters involving him and suggesting any scrutiny was likely related to the ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation.

Mills remains under an expansive House Ethics Committee investigation concerning alleged campaign finance violations, inaccurate financial disclosures, misuse of congressional resources, acceptance of improper gifts connected to official travel, receiving improper favors tied to his office, and sexual misconduct. The ethics inquiry has steadily expanded since it began, with committee leaders previously revealing they had issued more than 20 subpoenas, collected thousands of documents, and interviewed dozens of witnesses.

The Office of Congressional Ethics has also alleged that Mills may have failed to properly disclose financial interests, accepted excessive campaign contributions through personal loans, and maintained business relationships that raised potential conflicts of interest while serving on the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees. The congressman has also been the subject of a dating violence restraining order, which has since expired. Mills has denied the allegations against him and has not been charged with any crime related to those claims.

President Donald Trump endorsed Mills earlier this year ahead of Florida's Aug. 18 Republican primary. Following reports of the apparent DOJ investigation, several of Mills' Republican primary challengers renewed calls for him to withdraw from the race. Mills has strongly denied the reports, dismissing them as "fake news" and insisting he knows nothing about any DOJ investigation.