Latest news with #LindseyLangston
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Rep. Cory Mills is accused of threatening revenge porn in latest controversy
Rep. Cory Mills (R-Florida) has faced a battery of controversies during his short time on Capitol Hill. In February, police investigated him for allegedly assaulting a woman in his D.C. apartment. In July, his landlord sought his eviction from that apartment, a $20,000-a-month luxury penthouse near the Wharf. And the Office of Congressional Conduct has recommended the House Ethics Committee review allegations that he benefited from federal weapons contracts while in office. Now, Mills has been hit with new allegations: Lindsey Langston, the reigning Miss United States, has accused the Republican lawmaker of threatening to share sexually explicit photos and videos of her and threatening violence against her future boyfriends. 'Since February 20th of 2025 Cory has contacted Lindsey numerous times on numerous different accounts threatening to release nude images and videos of her, to include recorded videos of her and Cory engaging in sexual acts,' the police report says. Mills has denied the charges, calling them politically motivated. 'These claims are false and misrepresent the nature of my interactions,' Mills said in a statement. 'I have always conducted myself with integrity, both personally and in service to Florida's 7th District.' The office of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) did not respond to a request for comment on the matter, the latest to engulf the Army veteran and co-founder of an arms company who has styled himself as a MAGA Republican and vocal supporter of President Donald Trump since his election in 2022. In addition to his legal troubles, Mills in May faced renewed accusations of stolen valor when the outlet NOTUS reported that five people — including two men whose lives he was credited with saving — had no recollection of Mills being present during the 2003 incidents for which he was awarded a Bronze Star. The latest allegations were first reported earlier this week by Blaze Media, a conservative media outlet, and Drop Site News. They are based on a complaint filed by Langston on July 14 with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office in Florida. Langston, 25, said she dated Mills, 45, from November 2021 to February 2025. During the course of that relationship, Langston said, she and Mills began living together in his beach house in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Langston told the sheriff's office that because Mills was frequently absent, the two would exchange sexual photos and videos. In the police complaint, Langston said she ended her romantic relationship with Mills in February after seeing news reports that he had allegedly been involved in a physical altercation with another woman, Sarah Raviani, 27, in Washington. Raviani later recanted statements she gave police after calling 911, and prosecutors declined to pursue misdemeanor assault charges against Mills. Soon after, Langston said, Mills began threatening to make sexually explicit media of her public. In response, Langston sought legal advice from Mills's former political opponent, Anthony Sabatini. In 2022, Mills and Sabatini went toe-to-toe in the Republican primary for Florida's 7th District, which stretches from the outskirts of Orlando to Daytona Beach. Mills bested Sabatini, went on to win the general election and was reelected last year. Now, Mills claims Langston's allegations are part of a plot against him. 'Anthony Sabatini is weaponizing the legal system to launch a political attack against the man who beat him in the primary, using his corporate legal office to push a narrative built on lies and flawed legal arguments — all to score political headlines,' Mills said in a statement. In an interview, Mills claimed that Langston reached out to him this spring for assistance with a tax issue, adding: 'I'm such a risk and threat. But in May you're asking me to help you with your taxes?' Sabatini declined to comment on Mills's accusations. Langston did not respond to requests for comment. Langston's allegations are the latest in a line of questions Mills has faced about his conduct during his two terms as a lawmaker. In addition to the now-dropped assault charges, Mills has faced renewed questions about his combat record; he received a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq. Army records say the medal was awarded in part for his efforts to save the lives of fellow servicemen at great personal risk. However, as NOTUS reported in May, two of the men Mills is said to have saved claim the lawmaker did not aid them at all, and their concerns have been submitted to the Office of Congressional Conduct. That report followed others investigating questions over Mills's combat and service record in Iraq. Mills has stood by his service record. In addition to the military matter, Mills faced an eviction effort by his landlord, who said in July that the congressman owed more than $85,000 on his penthouse apartment. The problem was resolved this week, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reported this week. Mills is also under investigation by the House Ethics Committee. That investigation stems from an inquiry helmed by the Office of Congressional Conduct. The OCC's report found a number of potential financial violations, including that Mills's campaign may have broken election finance law by accepting excessive contributions and that Mills may have profited from federal contracts for arms while in Congress. The report recommended further investigation. The House Ethics Committee's review of the allegations is ongoing. Andrew Jeong contributed to this report.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Cory Mills Should Be at Least as Famous as George Santos
In a less depraved time, anyone who followed politics would know about the ugly abuse allegations facing the Florida congressman Cory Mills, and the scandal would be a big problem for the Republican Party. This week, news broke of a July police report filed against Mills by his ex-girlfriend Lindsey Langston, a beauty queen and Republican Party committee member in Florida. According to the report, Langston, who'd lived with Mills in Florida, broke up with him when she learned that he was under investigation for allegedly assaulting another girlfriend he had in Washington, a pro-Trump activist named Sarah Raviani. Langston claimed that when she tried to end things, Mills threatened to release nude images and videos of her. She also provided the police with text and Instagram messages in which Mills threatened to harm any men she might date in the future. Mills has denied Langston's claims, as he denied attacking Raviani. In that case, Raviani had called 911, saying she'd been assaulted in the penthouse where she was living with Mills when he was in town. When the cops arrived, according to The Washington Post, she had 'what seemed to be visible injuries.' While Mills was not taken into custody that day, the police did eventually seek a warrant for his arrest. But Raviani changed her story, saying that she hadn't been physically abused, and the U.S. attorney's office, then headed by the Trump loyalist Ed Martin, refused to sign off on the cops' warrant application. These two incidents are far from the only scandals involving Mills, who was elected in 2022 after boasting about founding a company that sold tear gas used on Black Lives Matter and antifa protesters. An Army veteran, Mills was awarded a Bronze Star for acts of heroism while serving in Iraq in 2003. In May, however, the political news site NOTUS reported that five people who served with him — including two men whose lives he ostensibly saved — 'say they have no recollection of Mills being at the incidents' that were listed on the form recommending him for the commendation. (Mills attributed these discrepancies to the fog of war, telling NOTUS, 'It was a chaotic day and understandable that others may have different recollections of events.') Mills is being investigated by the House Ethics Committee over his financial disclosures and his companies' government contracts. According to the nonpartisan Office of Congressional Conduct, he likely benefited from those contracts even after taking his seat, a potential violation of both House rules and federal law. (He's called the investigation politically motivated.) Last month, his landlord tried to evict him from his penthouse apartment, claiming he owed $85,000 in back rent, though he's since reportedly settled up. (He blamed a computer glitch.) Mills hasn't been convicted of anything; perhaps he is simply a very unlucky man hounded by baseless calumnies and financial complications. Nevertheless, there was a time when just the pileup of serious accusations against him would have been a problem for Republicans. Many of these allegations, after all, are far uglier than the misdeeds of George Santos, which were a major political story during Joe Biden's presidency. That, however, was a more innocent moment, before Trump's re-election destroyed many of Washington's remaining norms. Today, even if Mills did in fact threaten a young woman with revenge porn, he wouldn't stand out amid the climate of swaggering impunity and macho vice-signaling that mark the second Trump term. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, after all, paid $50,000 to a woman who accused him of raping her and was confirmed anyway. (He called the rape accusation false and said he made the payment to protect his job and family.) Sean Parnell, a failed Pennsylvania Senate candidate whose ex-wife accused him of choking her and hitting their children hard enough to leave marks, is now the Pentagon's chief spokesman. (He denies his ex-wife's claims.) In 2022, Corey Lewandowski, Trump's onetime campaign manager, was charged with misdemeanor battery after the wife of a Republican donor said he'd grabbed her inappropriately at a Las Vegas hotel. (In a plea deal, he was ordered to pay a fine, perform community service and undergo impulse-control counseling.) The incident got Lewandowski briefly expelled from Trump's orbit, but he was eventually brought onto the 2024 campaign and is now a chief adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Given the generally lax attitude about the abuse of women among powerful Republicans, it's not surprising that the party's congressional leaders don't seem to be taking the accusations against Mills very seriously. 'So far, the drumbeat of tawdry allegations has raised eyebrows in Washington, but it has not translated into any overt effort to sideline the two-term Florida Republican,' reported Politico. After all, unlike Santos, Mills isn't in a swing district, so Republicans don't have to worry about his electability. 'Because national party operatives view his seat as safe, there is little incentive for G.O.P. leaders to engage as the accusations swirl,' Politico said. There's something more than craven political expediency going on here. After all, precisely because Mills's seat is safe, Republicans could break with him without worrying that he'd be replaced by a Democrat. That, however, would violate the spirit of Trump's Washington, which grants near total license to the president's allies. This administration glories in thuggish transgression; nothing Mills is said to have done puts him crosswise with its fundamental values. Of course, it's possible that even amid the tsunamis of sadism and obscenity that constitute the daily political news cycle, the sheer squalor of the Mills story will eventually grab voters' attention. Maybe it will become, if not an embarrassment to Republicans, at least an irritation to them, forcing them to act. For now, though, Mills embodies America's ruling ethos: When you're MAGA, they let you do it. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We'd like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And here's our email: letters@ Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, WhatsApp and Threads.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Miss USA accuses congressman of revenge porn threat
Miss United States has accused a Republican congressman of threatening to release explicit images and videos of her after she ended their relationship. Lindsey Langston, the 2024 winner of the beauty pageant, also claimed that Cory Mills, a representative for central Florida, threatened to harm her future romantic partners, according to a police report filed in the state. According to the July 14 report, which was made public this week, the 25-year-old told authorities that her romantic relationship with Mr Mills started in 2021 and ended in February. Mr Mills then allegedly contacted Ms Langston, who is expected to compete at Miss Universe in November, 'numerous times' and threatened to release explicit images of her and videos of her engaging in sexual acts, the report said. The alleged threats were made when the congressman believed Ms Langston 'to have other romantic partners in her life after the breakup', the report added. It also noted that she shared messages allegedly backing up her claims. No charges have been filed and Mr Mills, 45, denied the allegations on Wednesday. At the time they met, Mr Mills was still married but had separated from his wife, and he told Ms Langston that the divorce would be finalised in 2024, she claimed. Mr Mills, an Army veteran who received a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq, represents a district north-east of Orlando and was elected to a second term in Congress in 2024. In January, the staunch supporter of Donald Trump spoke openly about running for senate until Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor, appointed Ashley Moody instead. Ms Langston, who is a Republican state committee member, said she moved out of Mr Mills' home earlier this year following news reports that police investigated an assault by the representative against a different woman described as his 'girlfriend' in Washington. Both Mr Mills and the woman denied that any assault took place, and the congressman was not charged in the incident. 'Political attack' Responding to Ms Langston's allegations, Mr Mills said: 'These claims are false and misrepresent the nature of my interactions. I have always conducted myself with integrity, both personally and in service to Florida's 7th District.' Instead, he claimed that the accusations were a 'political attack' crafted by Anthony Sabatini, his former political rival, 'to score political headlines'. Mr Sabatini, who ran against the Florida Republican in a 2022 GOP primary for the House seat, is also serving as Ms Langston's lawyer, Politico reported. He posted alleged screenshots of the threats that Mr Mills made towards Ms Langston on social media on Wednesday and claimed that she had filed a restraining order, which has not been confirmed. Mr Mills statement said: 'Anthony Sabatini is weaponising the legal system to launch a political attack against the man who beat him in the primary, using his corporate legal office to push a narrative built on lies and flawed legal arguments – all to score political headlines.' Mr Sabatini's response was limited to a social media post stating: 'Mills must resign.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Miss USA accuses Republican congressman of revenge porn threat
Miss United States has accused a Republican congressman of threatening to release explicit images and videos of her after she ended their relationship. Lindsey Langston, the 2024 winner of the beauty pageant, also claimed that Cory Mills, a representative for central Florida, threatened to harm her future romantic partners, according to a police report filed in the state. According to the July 14 report, which was made public this week, the 25-year-old told authorities that her romantic relationship with Mr Mills started in 2021 and ended in February. Mr Mills then allegedly contacted Ms Langston, who is expected to compete at Miss Universe in November, 'numerous times' and threatened to release explicit images of her and videos of her engaging in sexual acts, the report said. The alleged threats were made when the congressman believed Ms Langston 'to have other romantic partners in her life after the breakup', the report added. It also noted that she shared messages allegedly backing up her claims. No charges have been filed and Mr Mills, 45, denied the allegations on Wednesday. At the time they met, Mr Mills was still married but had separated from his wife, and he told Ms Langston that the divorce would be finalised in 2024, she claimed. Mr Mills, an Army veteran who received a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq, represents a district north-east of Orlando and was elected to a second term in Congress in 2024. In January, the staunch supporter of Donald Trump spoke openly about running for senate until Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor, appointed Ashley Moody instead. Ms Langston, who is a Republican state committee member, said she moved out of Mr Mills' home earlier this year following news reports that police investigated an assault by the representative against a different woman described as his 'girlfriend' in Washington. Both Mr Mills and the woman denied that any assault took place, and the congressman was not charged in the incident. 'Political attack' Responding to Ms Langston's allegations, Mr Mills said: 'These claims are false and misrepresent the nature of my interactions. I have always conducted myself with integrity, both personally and in service to Florida's 7th District.' Instead, he claimed that the accusations were a 'political attack' crafted by Anthony Sabatini, his former political rival, 'to score political headlines'. Mr Sabatini, who ran against the Florida Republican in a 2022 GOP primary for the House seat, is also serving as Ms Langston's lawyer, Politico reported. He posted alleged screenshots of the threats that Mr Mills made towards Ms Langston on social media on Wednesday and claimed that she had filed a restraining order, which has not been confirmed. Mr Mills statement said: 'Anthony Sabatini is weaponising the legal system to launch a political attack against the man who beat him in the primary, using his corporate legal office to push a narrative built on lies and flawed legal arguments – all to score political headlines.' Mr Sabatini's response was limited to a social media post stating: 'Mills must resign.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Miss United States accuses congressman of revenge porn threat
Miss United States has accused a Republican congressman of threatening to release explicit images and videos of her after she ended their relationship. Lindsey Langston, the 2024 winner of the beauty pageant, also claimed that Cory Mills, a representative for central Florida, threatened to harm her future romantic partners, according to a police report filed in the state. According to the July 14 report, which was made public this week, the 25-year-old told authorities that her romantic relationship with Mr Mills started in 2021 and ended in February. Mr Mills then allegedly contacted Ms Langston, who is expected to compete at Miss Universe in November, 'numerous times' and threatened to release explicit images of her and videos of her engaging in sexual acts, the report said. The alleged threats were made when the congressman believed Ms Langston 'to have other romantic partners in her life after the breakup', the report added. It also noted that she shared messages allegedly backing up her claims. No charges have been filed and Mr Mills, 45, denied the allegations on Wednesday. At the time they met, Mr Mills was still married but had separated from his wife, and he told Ms Langston that the divorce would be finalised in 2024, she claimed. Mr Mills, an Army veteran who received a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq, represents a district north-east of Orlando and was elected to a second term in Congress in 2024. In January, the staunch supporter of Donald Trump, spoke openly about running for senate until Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor, appointed Ashley Moody instead. Ms Langston, who is a Republican state committee member, said she moved out of Mr Mills' home earlier this year following news reports that police investigated an assault by the representative against a different woman described as his 'girlfriend' in Washington. Both Mr Mills and the woman denied that any assault took place, and the congressman was not charged in the incident. 'Political attack' Responding to Ms Langston's allegations, Mr Mills said: 'These claims are false and misrepresent the nature of my interactions. I have always conducted myself with integrity, both personally and in service to Florida's 7th District.' Instead, he claimed that the accusations were a 'political attack' crafted by Anthony Sabatini, his former political rival, 'to score political headlines'. Mr Sabatini, who ran against the Florida Republican in a 2022 GOP primary for the House seat, is also serving as Ms Langston's lawyer, Politico reported. He posted alleged screenshots of the threats that Mr Mills made towards Ms Langston on social media on Wednesday and claimed that she had filed a restraining order, which has not been confirmed. Mr Mills statement said: 'Anthony Sabatini is weaponising the legal system to launch a political attack against the man who beat him in the primary, using his corporate legal office to push a narrative built on lies and flawed legal arguments – all to score political headlines.' Mr Sabatini's response was limited to a social media post stating: 'Mills must resign.'
