LAKE CITY, Florida — Rep. Cory Mills’ ex-girlfriend spent more than an hour in court Friday describing how she was “scared” the central Florida Republican wanted to harm her and tarnish her reputation by potentially releasing videos of the two of them having sex.
Lindsey Langston, who is currently Miss United States and a Republican state committeewoman from Columbia County, is seeking a restraining order against Mills, who has denied any wrongdoing. She broke down several times while testifying and said she went to law enforcement this summer only after Mills refused her requests to leave her alone. The lawmaker is married to another woman and first started dating Langston in late 2021.
“He’s powerful, he’s well-connected, he’s wealthy,” said Langston, who said she wanted to “move on” and have a “normal life.” She also alleged Mills threatened to harm anyone she was involved with.
“I’m scared,” she told the judge. “I thought I could handle it by myself. Please help me.”
But Circuit Court Judge Fred Koberlein did not rule on Langston’s request because the hearing went beyond the 90 minutes set aside for it. He said he will try to schedule another hearing in the case soon.
Mills did get a chance to begin his rebuttal before the hearing ended. During brief testimony, Mills asserted his phone had been damaged and he no longer had possession of any nude photos or sex videos that he said Langston sent to him. He contended his messages to Langston about videos were referring to clips she had posted online about falling in love with another man.
At one point, Mills said he still cares for Langston and her family, but he added, “I’m finished with this relationship.”
He has previously said the allegations against him are being orchestrated by a “political rival” who unsuccessfully ran against him in the 2022 Republican primary. He briefly mentioned Friday that rival — former state Rep. Anthony Sabatini — had been helping Langston with her case.
In a text message, Sabatini said he gave Langston “legal advice” when she reached out but never represented her. He went on to blast Mills, saying he suffered from "Sabatini derangement syndrome."
The request for an injunction against Mills comes two days after House Democrats proposed he be censured over the spate of allegations he faces. Mills is also in the middle of an ethics investigation into accusations he benefited from federal contracts while in office. He has denied any wrongdoing in that case, as well.
And in February, police in Washington were called to investigate an alleged assault by Mills against another woman who is not his wife. Both Mills and that woman denied any assault took place, and Mills was not charged in the incident.
Mills first won his seat in 2022 after post-census redistricting created new GOP-friendly lines for Florida’s 7th District, stretching from Orlando’s north suburbs to the Atlantic coast. His campaigns in 2022 and 2024 were run with the aid of James Blair, a GOP consultant who now serves as deputy chief of staff for President Donald Trump and plays a key role in pushing the president’s agenda on the Hill.
Earlier this year, Mills floated a possible run for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Ashley Moody, but that talk petered out after the assault and ethics allegations emerged.
Langston, who had been living in a home in New Smyrna Beach belonging to Mills, first approached Florida authorities about the relationship in July. She said Friday that the February assault allegation involving the other woman led to her eventual breakup with him. She contended Mills lied to her about the woman and that he also insisted he was divorced when he was still married.
She said around the time of the February incident that Mills sounded “suicidal” and said “he was mentally unstable” and complained that the “the bourbon is not working.”
Langston also testified Mills had been angry in public twice and had physical confrontations with other people. She said during the two incidents Mills was with fellow GOP Rep. Byron Donalds, who is running for governor in Florida. Mills told reporters after the hearing that the allegations were not true and that Langston had no proof they happened.
Part of the hearing focused on exactly why and when the two stopped talking. Langston and Mills acknowledged they had broken up at one point in 2023 but had gotten back together. Mills testified that during their breakup, she had gotten involved with someone she had met at Mar-a-Lago.
Langston was also asked whether she had asked Mills for help with tax issues after the February incident. She testified she told Mills her family was having problems with the IRS and that he offered help.
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