US House Ethics Committee Finds Matt Gaetz Paid Women for Sex and Drugs
The US House Ethics Committee has found that former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz paid over $90,000 to 12 different women, with payments likely connected to sexual activity and drug use. The report, which is expected to be released on Monday, reveals that Gaetz’s actions violate Florida state laws.
Gaetz Resigns from Congress
Gaetz, who has denied wrongdoing, resigned from the House of Representatives last month after being selected by President-elect Donald Trump to be attorney-general. He withdrew from consideration in the face of an uphill confirmation battle in the Senate.
Efforts to Block Report’s Release
In an attempt to prevent the report’s release, Gaetz filed a lawsuit in federal court in Washington DC, arguing that the ethics panel no longer has jurisdiction over him since he resigned from Congress. Gaetz’s lawyers claim that the report contains "untruthful and defamatory information" about him and seek an emergency order to temporarily block its publication.
Report’s Findings
The report found that Gaetz paid over $90,000 to 12 different women, with payments likely connected to sexual activity and drug use. The report also states that Gaetz had sex twice with a 17-year-old girl, described as "Victim A", at a party in 2017. Victim A received $400 in cash from Gaetz that evening, understanding it to be payment for sex, but did not inform Gaetz that she was under 18 at the time.
Sex Trafficking Investigation
Gaetz was the subject of a three-year FBI investigation into allegations of sex trafficking, but the investigation produced no criminal charges.
Consensual Sexual Encounters
The women who testified said the sexual encounters with Gaetz were consensual, but one woman stated that the use of drugs at the parties and events they attended may have impaired their ability to fully consent. Another woman said that she felt violated when looking back on certain moments.
Ethics Panel’s Report
The report found that Gaetz violated House rules and other standards of conduct banning prostitution, statutory rape, and drug use. The panel also found "substantial evidence" of Gaetz’s involvement in illicit drug use and accused him of accepting gifts of luxury travel in excess of permissible limits with a 2018 trip to The Bahamas.
Conclusion
The allegations against Matt Gaetz are serious and disturbing, and it is imperative that the public is informed about the findings of the ethics panel. The report’s release will provide a clearer understanding of the allegations against Gaetz and the consequences of his actions.
FAQs
- What did the ethics panel find?
The panel found that Gaetz paid over $90,000 to 12 different women, with payments likely connected to sexual activity and drug use. - Did the panel find evidence of sex trafficking?
The panel found that Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old girl, but there was not sufficient evidence to prove he violated the federal sex trafficking statute. - What was the outcome of the FBI investigation?
The FBI investigation into allegations of sex trafficking produced no criminal charges against Gaetz. - What is Gaetz’s current status?
Gaetz resigned from the House of Representatives last month and is no longer a member of Congress.