(WASHINGTON) — On Monday, the House Ethics Committee published a report alleging that Matt Gaetz regularly participated in paid sexual activities, including with a minor, and consumed illegal drugs while serving in Congress. This report is the result of a nearly four-year investigation that ultimately led to the collapse of his nomination for attorney general.
The 37-page report from the bipartisan committee outlines serious concerns about Gaetz’s conduct from 2017 to 2020, a period during which he represented Florida’s western panhandle. It details a range of extravagant parties and getaways that were predominantly focused on sexual encounters.
Investigators found that Gaetz violated several state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office, although he was not charged with violating federal sex trafficking laws. They also concluded that Gaetz attempted to hinder the committee’s investigation.
“The evidence indicates that Representative Gaetz breached House Rules and ethical standards by engaging in prostitution, statutory rape, illegal drug use, accepting improper gifts, and obstructing Congress,” the report asserts.
Before the report’s release, Gaetz denied all accusations of wrongdoing and criticized the investigation’s processes. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his skepticism, questioning if giving money to a partner without a sexual exchange could be categorized as prostitution. He also suggested that the timing of the report’s release was suspicious, implying it was more aimed at public attention than legal implications.
Since his election as a Republican in 2017, Gaetz has faced numerous scandals, which contributed to President-elect Donald Trump’s withdrawal of his nomination for attorney general. His political future is now in doubt, although he has indicated interest in pursuing an open Senate seat in Florida.
The committee’s report presents a damaging portrayal of Gaetz’s behavior, substantiated by a variety of evidence, including text messages, financial records, travel receipts, and online payment documentation. The Ethics Committee collected this information after issuing 29 subpoenas and interviewing over two dozen witnesses.
In addition to allegations of soliciting prostitution, the report indicates that Gaetz “accepted gifts, including transportation and lodging for a 2018 trip to the Bahamas, that surpassed allowed limits.”
In 2018, investigators allege that Gaetz helped his chief of staff secure a passport for a woman he was involved with, misleading the State Department about her being a constituent.
Text messages seem to reveal Gaetz inviting various women to events and arranging travel plans. In one conversation, he asks if a woman has a “cute black dress” for an upcoming occasion, alongside discussions about sending items.
One piece of evidence includes a chat between two women expressing concerns about financial issues, while another shows someone reaching out to Gaetz for help with educational costs.
Regarding the allegation involving a 17-year-old girl, the committee found no proof that Gaetz was aware of her age during their encounter. The woman testified that she did not disclose her minor status, and Gaetz was unaware at the time.
The committee noted that Gaetz only learned of her age a month after the incident, yet he continued to communicate with her and met for sexual encounters again shortly after she turned 18. Under Florida law, adults aged 24 or older engaging in sexual activities with minors face felony charges, with no allowance for ignorance as a defense.
Joel Leppard, who represents two women who testified against Gaetz, stated that the findings bolster his clients’ claims and affirm their credibility. He praised the committee for its transparency in releasing the detailed report.
Despite initial opposition from many GOP members, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, at least one Republican joined all five Democrats on the Ethics Committee in voting to make the report public.
While it is typical for ethics reports to emerge after a member has resigned, it is unusual for them to be released while the individual is out of office.
Michael Guest, the Ethics Committee chairman and a Republican who opposed the report’s release, argued that the committee strayed from established norms by continuing investigations of former members.
“We believe that operating outside the jurisdictional boundaries set by House Rules poses significant risks that could lead to serious consequences,” he stated.
In a last-ditch effort to prevent the report’s publication, Gaetz filed a lawsuit claiming that it contained “false and defamatory information” that could damage his reputation. His legal team argued that he no longer falls under the committee’s jurisdiction following his resignation.
“The Committee’s claim that it can publish potentially defamatory findings about a private citizen, over whom it asserts no jurisdiction, represents an unprecedented overreach of Congressional authority that threatens constitutional rights,” Gaetz’s attorneys argued in their request for a temporary restraining order.
The bipartisan committee has been investigating allegations against Gaetz since 2021, but the urgency of their inquiry intensified when Trump named Gaetz as his top choice for attorney general shortly after recent elections. Gaetz later resigned from Congress, which placed him outside the committee’s jurisdiction.
Despite Gaetz’s resignation and the withdrawal of his nomination for attorney general, Democrats pressed for the report’s release. A recent effort in the House to make the report public failed, with nearly all Republicans opposing it.
The committee detailed the challenges encountered during its investigation, including delays due to a concurrent inquiry by the Justice Department into Gaetz, which ultimately resulted in no charges.
Lawmakers sought information from the Justice Department about its findings, but the agency declined to provide details about investigations that did not culminate in charges.
After issuing subpoenas to the Justice Department for information, the committee received minimal responses, mainly consisting of publicly available data regarding a deceased witness’s testimony.
“To date, the DOJ has provided no substantial evidence or justification for its actions,” the committee remarked.
Furthermore, the committee noted Gaetz’s lack of cooperation throughout the investigation, highlighting that he provided limited documentation and declined to participate in a voluntary interview.
___ This report includes contributions from Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer.
