James Fishback Admits to Fabricating Claims Against Florida Congressmen, Issues Apology

James Fishback has publicly admitted to fabricating claims that Florida Representatives Byron Donalds and Cory Mills were under federal investigation, calling it a "terrible mistake." He issued an apology to both congressmen and their families.

The original allegation surfaced in early August during a heated Republican primary contest for the Florida governor nomination, where Fishback and Donalds were rivals. Fishback claimed he received the information from a trusted source. In a recent post on X, he stated he was retracting the claim after consulting with his priest and going to confession.

Fishback wrote, "I am writing this without consulting my lawyer because it is the right thing to do, regardless of the legal implications. In early August, I made a terrible mistake by claiming that Byron Donalds and Cory Mills were under federal investigation. I received this information from someone I trusted, but I accept the DOJ’s public statement that neither man is under investigation, which means that I bore false witness."

He emphasized his Catholic faith, stating, "As a Catholic, I take the Ten Commandments seriously. After speaking with my priest and going to confession, I have a moral obligation to publicly retract my statement and apologize."

Fishback expressed remorse directly to Donalds and Mills, saying, "I apologize to Byron, Cory, and their families for what I said." He clarified that neither congressman nor their lawyers prompted his retraction.

He acknowledged his wrongdoing: "I sinned against my fellow man, and I am sorry. I ask God for forgiveness and pray that I can make amends."

The allegations initially revolved around supposed investigations into travel by Donalds and Mills to the MGM National Harbor resort in Maryland in 2024. Fishback claimed prosecutors were examining two specific dates: May 17 and November 19.

Fishback asserted that his legal team had spent weeks verifying the alleged investigation and claimed they received documents from a whistleblower, including text messages involving Mills. However, these materials have not been independently verified.

Fishback vowed not to use these allegations in campaign advertising, framing the issue as one of transparency rather than political maneuvering: "This is the first and last time I will discuss this publicly. My campaign will not run any television ads or mailers detailing any of this because this is not political. It’s about transparency for Florida voters."

The Justice Department publicly stated in August that Donalds was not under investigation. A law enforcement official labeled Fishback's allegation against Donalds as "absolutely false." The DOJ's statement did not mention Mills.

Initially, Fishback challenged the DOJ's denial, questioning its sufficiency in proving no investigation existed. His latest post indicates he now accepts the DOJ's assertion that neither man is under investigation. The DOJ has been asked whether it issued a separate statement regarding Mills.

Earlier reports suggested a possible DOJ investigation into Mills concerning unrelated matters. ABC News reported in July that the department was investigating Mills partly related to his finances but did not substantiate Fishback's later allegations of sex trafficking. Mills’ office stated he was unaware of any DOJ investigation.

The House Ethics Committee is conducting a separate inquiry into Mills regarding potential violations of laws or House rules; however, an ethics inquiry does not imply wrongdoing.

Donalds won Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary on August 18 with 47.8 percent of the vote. Fishback finished third with 10.5 percent, trailing Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins at 25.2 percent.

Donalds is now the Republican nominee facing Democrat David Jolly in the upcoming general election.

Fishback, founder of investment firm Azoria, previously gained attention for proposing to return savings from the Department of Government Efficiency to taxpayers. This idea was discussed by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk in 2025 but did not become an approved federal payment plan.

The story will be updated if responses arrive from pending inquiries.