Embattled ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida was allegedly discovered to have paid a number of ladies—together with a 17-year-old highschool scholar—for intercourse and to have consumed unlawful medication whereas in workplace, in accordance with a report from his former friends.
Gaetz, who resigned from the Home in November as a part of his transient 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 remaining 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, at the same time as 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 accordance with CBS Information.
The committee stories talking with greater than a half-dozen witnesses who attended numerous 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 mentioned 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 cellular fee service apps, together with PayPal or Venmo—to over a dozen ladies.
“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 ladies.
Investigators additionally zeroed in on a 2018 journey to the Bahamas, which they mentioned “violated the House gift rule.” On this journey, in accordance with investigators, Gaetz “engaged in sexual activity” with 4 ladies, together with one who mentioned that the journey was “the payment” for intercourse. Gaetz additionally took ecstasy in the course of the Bahamas rendezvous, one attendee advised the Home panel.
As well as, the report mentioned that investigators acquired testimony from a 17-year-old woman who alleged that Gaetz had intercourse together with her twice at a 2017 celebration. The sufferer mentioned 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 medication, regardless of investigators discovering “substantial evidence” on the contrary, in accordance with CBS Information. Investigators apparently obtained textual content messages despatched by Gaetz the place he referred to medication as “party favors,” “rolls,” or “vitamins.” He additionally reportedly created a pretend e-mail tackle from his Capitol Hill workplace “to purchase marijuana,” the report famous.
All the ladies who testified mentioned that their sexual encounters with Gaetz had been consensual, however one complained that the medication might have “impair[ed their] ability to really know what was going on or fully consent,” in accordance with CBS’ evaluation of the report.
“When I look back on certain moments, I feel violated,” one other lady advised the committee.
The probe into Gaetz reportedly didn’t discover adequate proof to conclude that he violated federal intercourse trafficking statutes. Though he allegedly transported ladies 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 underneath wraps earlier than making the beautiful choice 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 might 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 instructed 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 mentioned 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 potential that Gaetz will make his return to the political world in 2026. Gaetz has hinted that he would possibly run to be Florida’s subsequent governor.
Learn the total report on Gaetz right here.
