House Ethics Committee Finds Evidence of Misconduct by Former Rep. Matt Gaetz
The House Ethics Committee has released a bombshell report detailing allegations of misconduct by former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz.
The investigation found evidence that Gaetz paid women for sex or drugs on at least 20 occasions, including an instance involving a 17-year-old girl in 2017. The final report, obtained by CNN, has brought significant attention to the Republican politician, raising serious legal and ethical concerns.
Key Allegations Against Matt Gaetz
According to the report, Gaetz violated Florida state laws, including the state’s statutory rape law, and breached House Rules. The committee cited evidence of prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, and impermissible gifts.
Investigators examined Gaetz’s transactions through platforms like PayPal and Venmo, which revealed payments to more than a dozen women during his time in Congress.
The report also highlighted a 2018 trip to the Bahamas, during which Gaetz allegedly engaged in sexual activities with multiple women. One participant described the trip itself as “the payment” for sex. The report further claimed that Gaetz consumed ecstasy and was observed using cocaine during these events.
Involvement of a Minor
One of the most serious accusations involves a then-17-year-old girl who claimed she had sex with Gaetz twice during a July 2017 party.
She stated she received $400 in cash from Gaetz, which she understood to be payment for sex. The committee found that Gaetz did not inquire about her age and had no evidence to suggest he was aware she was a minor.
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Gaetz’s Response to the Allegations
Matt Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. He has claimed that while he engaged in partying, drinking, and womanizing during his “single days,” his actions were not criminal.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Gaetz declared, “I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. Any claim I have would be destroyed in court – which is why no such claim was ever made in court.”
Gaetz also filed a civil complaint to halt the report’s release, arguing that he was not allowed to review or respond to the findings. He has accused the committee of being “unresponsive” to his demands for due process.
Ethics Committee Findings
The House Ethics Committee, composed of bipartisan members, took the rare step of releasing its findings against a former representative.
While the committee determined that Gaetz violated state laws, it did not find sufficient evidence to prove violations of federal sex trafficking laws. The report noted that the women involved in Gaetz’s interstate travel for commercial sex were not under 18 at the time.
Joel Greenberg, a former Seminole County tax collector and associate of Gaetz, cooperated with federal investigators and provided testimony that contributed to the committee’s findings. Greenberg is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence.
Implications for Gaetz’s Career
The release of the ethics report has significant political ramifications, as Gaetz has been a prominent Trump loyalist and a conservative figure in the media. While the Justice Department declined to bring charges against him in 2023, the findings cast a shadow over his political legacy and current career as a conservative media personality.
The House Ethics Committee’s report has sparked widespread debate about accountability and conduct among public officials. While Gaetz denies the allegations, the findings shed light on actions that undermine trust in government leadership. The report will likely remain a topic of significant political discourse in the years to come.
