The House Ethics Committee has released a scathing report detailing “substantial evidence” that former Republican Representative Matt Gaetz engaged in misconduct during his time in Congress, including allegations of sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl, paying women for sex, and using illegal drugs.
The final report, published on Monday, follows a yearslong investigation into Gaetz’s activities between 2017 and 2019. According to the bipartisan committee, the former Florida lawmaker “regularly” paid women for sex and used drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy.
The report also highlighted that Gaetz accepted gifts exceeding permissible amounts, including a 2018 trip to the Bahamas. “Representative Gaetz has acted in a manner that reflects discreditably upon the House,” the committee stated.
Evidence and allegations
The committee’s findings allege that Gaetz violated numerous laws and House rules, including statutes prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, and acceptance of impermissible gifts. The report further accused him of providing special privileges and attempting to obstruct Congress.
Despite these damning conclusions, the panel noted that it found insufficient evidence to prove that Gaetz violated federal sex-trafficking laws. While Gaetz “did cause the transportation of women across state lines for purposes of commercial sex,” the committee found no evidence that the women were underage or coerced.
An attorney representing Gaetz did not respond to requests for comment.
Attempts to block report
Just hours before the report’s release, Gaetz sought a temporary restraining order from a federal judge to prevent its publication. The request was ultimately unsuccessful, and the report became public on Monday.
The investigation by the Ethics Committee resumed in May 2023 after the Justice Department concluded its own probe into Gaetz without filing criminal charges. The DOJ’s investigation had focused on sex-trafficking allegations.
Political fallout
The report’s release has intensified controversy surrounding the 42-year-old former congressman, who resigned from his seat in November shortly after being nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for the position of US attorney general.
Trump’s nomination of Gaetz to lead the Department of Justice drew widespread criticism, given the Justice Department’s prior investigation into Gaetz. Following a public backlash, Gaetz withdrew his candidacy after eight days, stating that he was “unfairly becoming a distraction” to Trump’s transition efforts.
The Ethics Committee initially faced uncertainty over whether it could release the report following Gaetz’s resignation. However, in a secret vote earlier this month, the committee decided to publish its findings despite Gaetz no longer holding office.
Continued denials
Gaetz has consistently denied all allegations of misconduct, maintaining his innocence throughout the investigations. However, the damning report has cast a long shadow over his political career, marking a significant moment in the former congressman’s tumultuous trajectory.
