The House Ethics Committee report on Matt Gaetz, a prominent ally of Donald Trump, unveiled new accusations and insights into the former congressman’s alleged misconduct. The report highlights developments in an investigation spanning from 2017 to 2020.
Findings reveal Gaetz allegedly paid women for sexual activities, engaged with a 17-year-old girl, used illegal drugs, accepted gifts beyond House limits, and assisted a woman with a passport application.
Gaetz, who resigned from the House of Representatives just days before the report’s release, has fervently denied the allegations, claiming the investigation was biased against him.
Key highlights from the report include:
A Complicated Money Trail
Investigators disclosed that Gaetz paid over $90,000 to women for sexual favors and drugs, resulting in a convoluted financial network that proved challenging to trace. The committee noted, “The committee was unable to determine the full extent of Representative Gaetz’s payments to women for sexual activities.”
Additionally, Gaetz allegedly communicated with young women using an account associated with his friend Joel Greenberg, who is currently incarcerated for related offenses. Transactions were often conducted through personal accounts under pseudonymous identities.
In one documented instance, Gaetz issued a check to a college student labeled “tuition reimbursement,” which she associated with a group encounter, indicating possible coercive dynamics.
Although Gaetz maintains that his payments were gifts, the committee noted discrepancies in testimonies regarding the nature of those relationships.
Allegations of Drug Use and Misconduct
The report further alleged that Gaetz purchased illegal drugs or reimbursed individuals for them, with a focus on his marijuana use. Accounts also described trips during which escort services were provided, raising serious questions about consent influenced by substance use.
Among the allegations, a woman disclosed that she was 17 years old during sexual encounters with Gaetz, receiving $400 following those interactions. Although the committee did not find evidence Gaetz knew of her age, this claim has dire implications.
Moreover, Gaetz reportedly used his political position to facilitate a passport application for a woman with whom he was involved, in violation of House rules.
Issues of Obstruction
The report emphasizes Gaetz’s alleged obstruction of the investigation, including his failure to produce evidence that he claimed would clear his name. The committee concluded he attempted to mislead investigators to avoid exposure of his conduct.
Despite Gaetz claiming to have cooperated by providing records, the report highlights substantial failures in transparency on his part, particularly regarding a high-value trip to the Bahamas, which violated gift regulations.
Dissenting Opinions within the Committee
The report concludes with a statement from the Ethics Committee’s chairman, who represents dissenting members. They expressed concern about releasing the report after Gaetz’s resignation, arguing it deviates from established practices and could be misinterpreted as politicization of the Committee’s actions.
