A long-awaited Ethics report accuses Rep. Matt Gaetz of violating House Rules and engaging in activities such as prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, and obstruction of Congress. The 37-page report, which includes financial records, alleges Gaetz paid over $90,000 to 12 women for sexual activity and/or drug use between 2017 and 2020. While Gaetz denies all allegations, the report details encounters with women, including one who was 17 at the time. Gaetz resigned from Congress last month after being nominated for attorney general by Donald Trump, citing the sexual misconduct allegations as a 'distraction'. The Ethics committee originally voted against releasing the report but secretly voted in December to make it public.
The outlets reported that Gaetz—who filed a last-minute lawsuit Monday trying to block the Ethics results from being released—is accused in the report of having “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 37-page report—which is said to include Venmo and PayPal receipts—also alleges that Gaetz paid more than $90,000 to 12 different women, “likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use” between 2017 and 2020. One of the women who testified to having sex with Gaetz at a 2017 party was 17 at the time and had just finished her junior year in high school—though she reportedly did not inform him of her age, “nor did she ask,” according to the report. While the report notes that all women who testified said their encounters had been consensual, one woman told the committee that “when I look back on certain moments, I feel violated.” Gaetz, who has denied allegations of wrongdoing, resigned from Congress last month after he was named Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general—two days before the Ethics committee was to hold a vote on releasing the results of its long-running investigation into his conduct. But he withdrew from consideration soon after, writing that the sexual misconduct allegations surrounding him—and that likely doomed his confirmation—had become a “distraction.” “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle,” Gaetz said in a statement at the time. Until now, Gaetz seemed, briefly, to be in the clear: The committee voted against releasing its results in late November, and the Republican was hired to host a program on the pro-Trump One America News Network. But then, last week, it was reported that the Ethics panel had “secretly voted” in December to make the report public. In response, Gaetz said at the time that he “probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. However, he once again denied the statutory rape allegation, pointing to a Justice Department recommendation not to bring charges against him in its own sex trafficking inquiry. “I live a different life now,” he said.
Matt Gaetz Ethics Report House Rules Statutory Rape Sexual Misconduct
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gaetz Ethics Report to Be Released Before Congress AdjournsThe House Ethics Committee has voted to release a long-awaited report detailing sexual misconduct allegations against former Rep. Matt Gaetz. The report is expected to be made public before the end of the year.
Read more »
House Ethics Committee secretly voted to release Matt Gaetz ethics report, source saysThe House Ethics Committee has voted in secret to release the long-awaited ethics report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Read more »
House Ethics Committee quietly voted to release Matt Gaetz ethics reportThe House Ethics Committee voted to release its report on the investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz on Dec. 5, according to multiple sources.
Read more »
House Ethics Report Finds Former Rep. Matt Gaetz Likely Violated Ethics RulesA long-awaited House Ethics Committee report concludes that former Rep. Matt Gaetz likely violated House rules, addressing allegations of sex trafficking and improper conduct. The report, released after Gaetz vacated his seat, details accusations of him paying for sex with women, including one who was underage at the time. Gaetz denies any wrongdoing and claims the committee lacked jurisdiction over him.
Read more »
House Ethics report finds 'substantial evidence' Matt Gaetz violated FL statutory rape lawFormer Rep. Matt Gaetz sues House Ethics Committee to stop release of ethics report
Read more »
House Ethics Committee Report: Matt Gaetz Paid for Sex and Drugs While in CongressThe House Ethics Committee has released a report detailing allegations that former Congressman Matt Gaetz paid for sex and drugs, including accusations that he paid a minor for sex in 2017.
Read more »