The House Ethics Committee released its report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), finding “substantial evidence” that he violated House rules and state and federal laws.
“The Committee concluded there was substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules, state and federal laws, and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, acceptance of impermissible gifts, the provision of special favors and privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” the report says.
According to the report, 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.”
The report alleges that Gaetz had a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old minor in 2017.
The committee admitted that the minor did not tell Gaetz her age: “Victim A said that she did not inform Representative Gaetz that she was under 18 at the time, nor did he ask her age. Committee did not receive any evidence indicating that Representative Gaetz was aware that Victim A was a minor when he had sex with her.”
Gaetz filed a lawsuit Monday morning in an effort to block the release of the report.
“The Committee’s apparent intention to release its report after explicitly acknowledging it lacks jurisdiction over former members, its failure to follow constitutional notions of due process, and failure to adhere to its own procedural rules and precedent represents an unprecedented overreach that threatens fundamental constitutional rights and established procedural protections,” his attorneys wrote.
Gaetz previously wrote on X that the “Biden/Garland DOJ spent years reviewing allegations that I committed various crimes.”
“I was charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED. Not even a campaign finance violation. And the people investigating me hated me. Then, the very ‘witnesses’ DOJ deemed not-credible were assembled by House Ethics to repeat their claims absent any cross-examination or challenge from me or my attorneys. I’ve had no chance to ever confront any accusers. I’ve never been charged. I’ve never been sued,” he said. “Instead, House Ethics will reportedly post a report online that I have no opportunity to debate or rebut as a former member of the body.”
“In my single days, I often sent funds to women I dated – even some I never dated but who asked. I dated several of these women for years. I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court – which is why no such claim was ever made in court.”
Gaetz noted that his thirties were “era of working very hard – and playing hard too.”
“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.”
