The House Ethics Committee has concluded a comprehensive investigation into Representative Matt Gaetz, focusing on allegations of sexual misconduct, drug use, and violations of House rules. The investigation, spanning from 2017 to 2020, involved reviewing Gaetz’s chats, payment transactions, and interviews with multiple women who socialized and traveled with him. The committee’s report paints a damning picture of Gaetz’s conduct, alleging that he engaged in a pattern of paying women for sex, used illegal drugs, and accepted improper gifts, all while serving as a member of Congress.
The report’s most serious allegation involves a then-17-year-old girl who testified that she had sex with Gaetz twice during a party in July 2017. She claimed to have received approximately $400 from Gaetz the same evening, which she interpreted as payment for the sexual encounters. Both she and Gaetz allegedly used drugs during the evening. While the report suggests strong evidence of a violation of Florida state law regarding sex with a minor, it also notes that there is no indication that Gaetz was aware of the girl’s age at the time.
The committee’s investigation further revealed a broader pattern of Gaetz paying women for sex. According to the report, nearly every young woman interviewed confirmed receiving payment for sex from Gaetz or on his behalf. He allegedly transferred money to twelve women on approximately twenty occasions as payment for either sex or drugs. Between 2018 and 2019, one woman reportedly received over $5,500. Gaetz’s then-girlfriend allegedly acted as an intermediary between the congressman and these women.
Beyond the allegations of sexual misconduct, the committee also found compelling evidence that Gaetz repeatedly used illegal drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy. Moreover, the report concludes that Gaetz violated House rules by accepting a trip to the Bahamas as a gift. The Justice Department had previously investigated whether this trip constituted illegal lobbying.
The release of the report comes after a tumultuous period surrounding Gaetz’s political career. He was nominated for Attorney General by then-President Trump, a nomination that was met with significant controversy given the ongoing ethics investigation. The pressure mounted on the committee to release its findings, intensifying the scrutiny on Gaetz’s conduct. Gaetz subsequently withdrew from consideration for the Attorney General position, citing the nomination as a distraction for the new administration.
The House Ethics Committee ultimately voted to release its report, a decision that Gaetz contested by filing a lawsuit to block its publication. A judge is now tasked with determining whether the report’s release should be halted. The release of this report marks a significant development in the ongoing saga surrounding Matt Gaetz, raising serious questions about his conduct and potentially leading to further legal and political repercussions.
