(DailyChive.com) – The House Ethics Committee has unveiled a 37-page report accusing former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., of serious misconduct, including paying for sex with multiple women, one of whom was a 17-year-old high school girl, and using illegal drugs like cocaine and ecstasy. The report alleges these actions violated both Florida state laws and congressional rules.
The committee’s findings, released Monday, outline substantial evidence suggesting Gaetz engaged in statutory rape, prostitution, illicit drug use, and obstruction of Congress. The report also claims he accepted impermissible gifts and granted special favors while serving in office.
Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing. A previous federal investigation into similar accusations ended without charges against him. On the same day the Ethics Committee released its findings, Gaetz filed a lawsuit attempting to block their publication.
The report details payments Gaetz allegedly made from 2017 to 2020, totaling tens of thousands of dollars, to women in connection with sexual activity or drug use. In one instance, Gaetz is accused of having sex with a 17-year-old girl at a 2017 party. According to the report, the girl, referred to as “Victim A,” stated she was paid $400 for sex and was under the influence of ecstasy during the encounter. Witnesses claimed to have seen Gaetz using cocaine at the same event.
Despite these allegations, the committee stated there was no evidence Gaetz knew the girl was a minor at the time. However, the report accuses him of obstructing the investigation by refusing to comply with subpoenas and withholding information about trips with women.
Gaetz’s text messages, obtained by the committee, allegedly show him requesting drugs for parties, referring to them as “party favors” or “vitamins.” Witnesses also reported seeing him use marijuana.
The investigation into Gaetz ended abruptly last month after he resigned from Congress when President-elect Trump nominated him for attorney general. Gaetz later withdrew from consideration amid Republican opposition. His resignation stripped the Ethics Committee of jurisdiction, but the findings were deemed important enough to release in the public interest.
Gaetz’s legal challenge to suppress the report remains ongoing.
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