The US House Ethics Committee has issued a report accusing former Representative Matt Gaetz of a series of serious misconducts, including paying for sex, possessing illegal drugs, and engaging in sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl in 2017 while he was serving in Congress. According to reports from Reuters and other media outlets, the panel’s findings allege that Gaetz violated Florida state laws, including statutory rape laws, and engaged in illegal and unethical conduct during his tenure as a congressman.
The report details Gaetz’s actions from 2017 to 2020, alleging that he regularly paid women for sex. One of the most troubling allegations is his sexual encounter with a 17-year-old girl in 2017, which the committee describes as a clear violation of both House rules and Florida state laws, including statutory rape.
The investigation uncovered evidence that Gaetz had transferred thousands of dollars to multiple women and Joel Greenberg, a former associate who has since faced charges in relation to a sex trafficking investigation. Gaetz reportedly sent more than $63,000 to one woman, described as a former girlfriend, over a period between 2017 and 2020. Some of these payments were categorized as potentially legitimate due to Gaetz's relationship with the woman, but others were deemed suspicious by the panel.
Furthermore, the committee’s report includes testimony from women who claim that they were involved in illicit activities with Gaetz, including drugs. One woman allegedly brought cocaine to at least one event with Gaetz and witnessed him using drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy, on at least five occasions. The committee also highlighted a controversial trip to the Bahamas, during which Gaetz allegedly engaged in sexual activity with several women. Reports from participants in the trip suggest that Gaetz took ecstasy and that the trip was viewed by at least one woman as payment for sex.
The Ethics Committee’s report also accuses Gaetz of violating House gift rules during the Bahamas trip. While the report does not specify the exact details, it paints a picture of a series of violations that go beyond the personal sphere and into the realm of official misconduct.
After years of investigation into these allegations, the committee voted to release its findings earlier this month, despite initial resistance and a vote against disclosure by the committee’s Republican chairman, Michael Guest. The release followed public hearings and deliberations and was finally made public after a secret vote among committee members.
In response, Gaetz has vehemently denied the accusations and has taken legal action by filing a civil complaint in federal court. He argues that the Ethics Committee no longer has jurisdiction over him, given that he resigned from Congress earlier this year. Gaetz claims he was not given an adequate opportunity to respond to the findings or conclusions of the committee's investigation. The civil complaint also seeks to challenge the findings and halt any further legal actions related to the report.
This report is part of a long-running investigation into Gaetz’s actions, which have sparked widespread controversy and calls for accountability. The allegations against him come amidst broader scrutiny of his political career, including accusations of misuse of campaign funds and improper conduct. The Ethics Committee’s findings will likely have long-term ramifications for Gaetz, both legally and politically, as he continues to face public scrutiny and potential legal consequences.
