Embattled ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida was allegedly discovered to have paid a number of girls—together with a 17-year-old highschool pupil—for intercourse and to have consumed unlawful medicine whereas in workplace, in response to a report from his former friends.
Gaetz, who resigned from the Home in November as a part of his temporary stint as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be lawyer normal, bowed out of consideration for the function as soon as it grew to become clear that even his fellow Republicans wouldn’t help his bid. A damning, complete investigative report from the Home Ethics Committee, whose ultimate draft was analyzed by CBS Information and different shops, make it clear why.
Investigators discovered that Gaetz allegedly violated a number of state legal guidelines associated to sexual misconduct whereas in workplace. The Committee launched the 37-page report Monday, whilst Gaetz sought a restraining order.
“The Committee determined there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” panel investigators wrote, in response to CBS Information.
The committee experiences talking with greater than a half-dozen witnesses who attended varied events and journeys with Gaetz between 2017 and 2020, when he was representing Florida’s 1st Congressional District.
“Nearly every young woman that the Committee interviewed confirmed that she was paid for sex by, or on behalf of, Representative Gaetz,” the panel’s report reads.
Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and has not been criminally charged. In a Wednesday submit to the social media platform X, the previous consultant stated that he “NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18.” In the identical message, he additionally made the eyebrow-raising admission that he “often sent funds to women I dated—even some I never dated but who asked.”
“My 30’s were an era of working very hard—and playing hard too,” Gaetz added. “It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now.”
In keeping with CNN, the ethics panel reviewed transactions Gaetz made—typically utilizing cell fee service apps, together with PayPal or Venmo—to over a dozen girls.
“From 2017 to 2020, Representative Gaetz made tens of thousands of dollars in payments to women that the Committee determined were likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use,” reads the report, which lists over $90,000 in funds to 12 girls.
Investigators additionally zeroed in on a 2018 journey to the Bahamas, which they stated “violated the House gift rule.” On this journey, in response to investigators, Gaetz “engaged in sexual activity” with 4 girls, together with one who stated that the journey was “the payment” for intercourse. Gaetz additionally took ecstasy through the Bahamas rendezvous, one attendee advised the Home panel.
As well as, the report stated that investigators obtained testimony from a 17-year-old woman who alleged that Gaetz had intercourse together with her twice at a 2017 social gathering. The sufferer stated that she had simply accomplished her junior 12 months of highschool and recalled receiving $400 in money from Gaetz that night “which she understood to be payment for sex.”
“Victim A said that she did not inform Representative Gaetz that she was under 18 at the time, nor did he ask her age,” the report learn.
In his written response to the committee, Gaetz reportedly denied having intercourse with a minor. He additionally denied utilizing illicit medicine, regardless of investigators discovering “substantial evidence” on the contrary, in response to CBS Information. Investigators apparently obtained textual content messages despatched by Gaetz the place he referred to medicine as “party favors,” “rolls,” or “vitamins.” He additionally reportedly created a faux e mail tackle from his Capitol Hill workplace “to purchase marijuana,” the report famous.
The entire girls who testified stated that their sexual encounters with Gaetz had been consensual, however one complained that the medicine could have “impair[ed their] ability to really know what was going on or fully consent,” in response to CBS’ evaluation of the report.
“When I look back on certain moments, I feel violated,” one other girl advised the committee.
The probe into Gaetz reportedly didn’t discover ample proof to conclude that he violated federal intercourse trafficking statutes. Though he allegedly transported girls throughout state traces for the aim of intercourse, they had been all 18 or older on the time.
The Home Ethics Committee initially voted alongside partisan traces to maintain the report beneath wraps earlier than making the gorgeous determination to reverse course. In keeping with CBS Information, two Republican members of the bipartisan 10-member committee had been amongst those that later voted for its launch.
The discharge of the report could lastly bring to a halt Gaetz’s incendiary tenure on Capitol Hill. The firebrand Freedom Caucus conservative, a vocal supporter of Trump, was a thorn within the facet of Home management and his fellow Republicans.
But this doubtless gained’t be the final we hear of Gaetz. He’s set to hitch the far-right One America Information Community with an eponymous present launching in January, and simply final week, Gaetz prompt on X that he was contemplating briefly returning on the primary day of the brand new 119th Congress in 2025.
As soon as there, he stated that he would pressure a vote on a decision to tear the lid off secretive “Me Too” settlements made by present and former lawmakers utilizing taxpayer {dollars}.
It’s additionally doable that Gaetz will make his return to the political world in 2026. Gaetz has hinted that he may run to be Florida’s subsequent governor.
Learn the total report on Gaetz right here.
