A bombshell report from the House Ethics Committee reveals damning news details about the long-running investigation into Matt Gaetz’s alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.
The former Republican representative, who was Donald Trump’s first choice for attorney general of the United States, is accused of paying thousands of dollars to more than a dozen women — including a 17-year-old girl — for sex.
Gaetz is also accused of using illegal drugs, including from his office on Capitol Hill, according to the report, a draft of which was first obtained by CBS News and CNN.
He is accused of violating Florida’s statutory rape laws, among others, the report found.
“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,” the report states.
He filed a federal lawsuit against the committee on Monday alleging the the “unconstitutional” publication of “potentially defamatory statements” against a now-private citizen.
Gaetz withdrew his name for consideration as Trump’s nominee for attorney general following reports that a woman testified to the committee that she had sexual encounters with Gaetz at a party in 2017 when she was 17 years old.
He also paid more than $10,000 to women through a series of Venmo and PayPal payments with descriptive memos like “being awesome” and “being my friend” — some of which were allegedly used in transactions for sex.
The panel’s report discovered Gaetz sent such payments to more than a dozen women while he was a member of Congress.
During a 2018 trip to the Bahamas, Gaetz “engaged in sexual activity” with multiple women, including one who described the trip itself as “the payment” for sex on the trip. He also took ecstasy during the trip, one woman told the committee.
“In my single days, I often sent funds to women I dated — even some I never dated but who asked,” Gaetz said in a statement last week, following news of the report’s imminent release.
“I dated several of these women for years. I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18,” he added. “Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court — which is why no such claim was ever made in court.”
The 42-year-old former congressman said his 30s “were an 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,” he said. “I live a different life now.”
