Ethics Report Says Gaetz Broke Laws And Rules
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A House Ethics Committee report released Monday detailed serious allegations against former Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, including accusations of paying for sex with a minor and various other ethical violations that could constitute criminal conduct.
The committee’s findings indicate that between 2017 and 2020, Gaetz allegedly engaged in a pattern of paying women for sexual activities, including one instance involving a 17-year-old girl. Additionally, the report states that during 2017-2019, he reportedly used illegal substances such as cocaine and ecstasy on multiple occasions.
MORE TESTIMONY you won’t see in the “ethics” report.
This is clearly not prostitution under any conceivable definition.
Which is why I was never charged with a crime! pic.twitter.com/PpsVpeR3Sp
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) December 23, 2024
The investigation also revealed that Gaetz allegedly violated gift regulations by accepting transportation and accommodation benefits during a 2018 Bahamas trip that exceeded permitted limits. Furthermore, the report claims he misused his official position by directing his Chief of Staff to assist one of his sexual partners in obtaining a passport, falsely representing her as a constituent to the State Department.
The committee asserts that Gaetz attempted to obstruct their investigation and conducted himself in a manner unbefitting a House representative. These allegations surfaced after Gaetz, who had been considered for the position of U.S. attorney general by President-elect Donald Trump, resigned from his House seat last month.
In an unusual move, the Ethics Committee chose to release these findings despite Gaetz’s departure from Congress. The report acknowledged this departure from standard procedure, stating: “The Committee has typically not released its findings after losing jurisdiction in a matter. However, there are a few prior instances where the Committee has determined that it was in the public interest to release its findings even after a Member’s resignation from Congress. The Committee does not do so lightly.”
Bannon: Screw their rules. @MattGaetz has to come back. Going to OAN is accepting defeat—this is so obvious. Take the ethics report and shove it. Gaetz must return like Trump returned. Don’t back down—double down. pic.twitter.com/4OIIJ1m1gt
— Bannon’s WarRoom (@Bannons_WarRoom) December 23, 2024
Prior to the report’s release, Gaetz filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent its publication. According to The Wall Street Journal, he argued that releasing the report would violate committee rules regarding investigations of former House members. He also pursued legal action for defamation and requested a temporary restraining order to halt the document’s release during court proceedings.
The report ultimately determined that substantial evidence exists showing Gaetz’s violation of House Rules, various state and federal laws, and other conduct standards. These violations encompass issues related to prostitution, statutory rape, drug use, improper gift acceptance, misuse of privileges, and congressional obstruction.
Notably, the report emphasized Florida’s statutory rape laws, which classify sexual activity between a person 24 or older and a 16- or 17-year-old as a felony, with no allowance for claims of ignorance or misrepresentation of the minor’s age as a defense.
