A Florida circuit judge has issued a restraining order against U.S. Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) following allegations that he threatened to distribute sexually explicit videos of a former girlfriend. Circuit Judge Fred Koberlein ruled on Tuesday that Lindsay Langston, a Republican state committee woman and Miss United States 2024, had reasonable cause to fear she was in imminent danger of dating violence. The judge stated that Mills provided no credible rebuttal to Langston's testimony regarding the threats.
The legal action follows two hearings in Lake City where both parties testified about their relationship, which began in late 2021. Langston testified that Mills caused her substantial emotional distress and described him as a powerful and wealthy figure. Mills denied the allegations, testifying that while he had received intimate videos in the past, he no longer possessed them due to a damaged phone. He further argued that his references to videos were related to recordings of Langston baking, and that messages suggesting a future partner would need to 'strap up' were rodeo metaphors rather than threats.
The injunction, which remains in effect until January 2026, prohibits Mills from contacting Langston or visiting her home and place of employment. Additionally, the judge barred the second-term congressman from directly referring to Langston on social media. The order applies throughout the state of Florida. Mills did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the ruling, though he previously questioned why he would risk his career by releasing such material.
The ruling adds to a series of legal and ethical challenges involving the congressman. Mills is currently the subject of a federal ethics investigation into whether he improperly benefited from government contracts while in office. Additionally, while the congressman was not charged, the court testimony referenced a February incident where Washington police investigated an alleged assault involving Mills and a woman; both parties in that matter denied the assault occurred. These concurrent matters place the lawmaker under multiple levels of official scrutiny by both the judiciary and legislative oversight bodies.
For constituents and the broader public, this case highlights the intersection of private litigation and public office. The injunction establishes a legal precedent for the remainder of Mills' current term regarding his interactions with a state-level political official. While the court's finding of "substantial emotional distress" is a civil determination, it creates a documented record that may be referenced in future administrative or ethics reviews. The injunction will remain active until its scheduled expiration in January 2026, unless further court action is taken.