Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, has been accused of paying multiple women for sex, including a 17-year-old high school girl, and using illegal drugs like cocaine and ecstasy, according to a House Ethics Committee report. The report, released Monday, found that Gaetz violated several Florida state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office. The report concluded that Gaetz broke House Rules, state and federal laws, and other codes of conduct that prohibit prostitution, statutory rape, drug use, accepting inappropriate gifts, providing special privileges, and obstructing Congress.
Despite denying any wrongdoing, the report alleges that Gaetz attempted to deflect, deter, or mislead the Committee in order to prevent his actions from being exposed. The report states that Gaetz made tens of thousands of dollars in payments to women likely connected to sexual activities and drugs from 2017 to 2020. One particular incident involved Gaetz reportedly having sex with a 17-year-old minor at a party in 2017, violating Florida’s statutory rape law. The girl, referred to as “Victim A” in the report, stated that she never disclosed her age to Gaetz. She claimed to have been paid $400 by Gaetz, which she understood as payment for sex, and said she saw Gaetz use cocaine while she was under the influence of ecstasy during the encounter.
The report also accuses Gaetz of refusing to comply with a subpoena for an interview and intentionally withholding information about a trip to the Bahamas with women. Text messages obtained by the Committee showed Gaetz asking women to bring drugs to their meetings and referring to them as “party favors,” “rolls,” or “vitamins.” Witnesses interviewed by the Committee reported seeing Gaetz using marijuana. The multi-year investigation into Gaetz’s alleged sexual encounters with a minor and drug use came to an end after he resigned from Congress following President Trump’s appointment as his attorney general, a position he later withdrew from due to opposition.
The House Ethics Committee released their findings even after losing jurisdiction over the case due to Gaetz’s resignation, citing the public interest in the matter. While the committee typically does not release findings after losing jurisdiction, a majority of members believed that the findings should be made public. Gaetz has faced a stream of accusations and investigations regarding his behavior, but has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The report alleges that Gaetz violated numerous laws and codes of conduct during his time in office, including engaging in sexual activities with a minor and using illicit drugs, but ultimately no charges were brought against him in previous investigations.
