House Ethics Committee Report Unveils Serious Allegations Against Matt Gaetz
WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee has released a report detailing numerous troubling allegations against Matt Gaetz, which included claims of sexual interactions with an underage girl. This scandal significantly marred the Florida Republican’s aspirations to head the Justice Department.
The bipartisan committee utilized text messages, travel documents, online transactions, and witness accounts to illustrate a lifestyle where Gaetz and associates were allegedly involved in organized parties and trips that featured younger women, often under the influence of drugs, with the expectation that these women would receive payment for their involvement.
In a last-ditch effort to prevent the report’s publication, Gaetz filed a lawsuit just before its release and vehemently criticized the committee’s conclusions. The former lawmaker has continually denied engaging in any illegal activities, specifically asserting that he never had sexual relations with a minor. An investigation by the Justice Department into these allegations concluded without any criminal charges against him.
“Is giving money to someone you’re dating, without them asking, now considered prostitution?” Gaetz questioned in a recent post. He expressed frustration over the timing of the report, suggesting it was strategically released to undermine him rather than in a courtroom where he could challenge the findings.
Key Findings from the Committee
Allegations of Sex-for-Money Arrangements
The report revealed that between 2017 and 2020, Gaetz allegedly made significant payments to women, likely linked to sexual activities or drug use. These payments were processed through online platforms like PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp, as well as cash and checks, according to the committee’s findings.
It was indicated that Gaetz was aware of the “transactional nature” of his relations with these women. In one instance, he expressed reluctance when a woman asked for funds, telling her that she had given him only a “drive by” encounter.
Women interviewed stated there existed a common understanding that sexual relations would typically follow their meetings with Gaetz. One woman, who received over $5,000 from him between 2018 and 2019, noted that her encounters with him nearly always included sexual activity.
Nevertheless, it was acknowledged that Gaetz was in a long-term relationship with one of those women, suggesting that some payments could have legitimate intentions.
Moreover, text messages revealed that Gaetz often requested that the women bring drugs to their meetings. Although most encounters occurred in Florida, the report documented multiple occasions where he traveled with women he compensated for sex. Correspondence indicated Gaetz frequently invited various women to events and arranged travel for them.
Joel Greenberg, a former Gaetz associate who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking, reportedly initiated connections with women using online platforms. In a conversation with a 20-year-old woman, Greenberg discussed meeting up with her friend, indicating a clear understanding of the nature of their interactions.
Committee Claims Substantial Evidence of Underage Sexual Encounter
The committee’s report described a July 2017 party where Gaetz allegedly engaged in sexual activities with several women, including a 17-year-old, whom he reportedly paid. The evidence included credible testimony from the young woman, now an adult, and corroborating accounts from other witnesses.
This individual recounted that Gaetz provided her with $400 that she interpreted as payment for sex that evening. While she admitted to consuming ecstasy at the party, she was confident in her recollections of the encounter with Gaetz. Importantly, the committee noted an absence of evidence indicating that Gaetz was aware of her age at the time.
While Gaetz remained in contact with her post-party, it was indicated that he engaged in “commercial sex” with her again after she turned 18, raising further questions about the nature of their interactions.
Obstruction and Lack of Cooperation from Gaetz
The committee authorized 29 subpoenas, reviewed nearly 14,000 documents, and consulted over two dozen witnesses during its investigation. However, Gaetz did not fulfill the subpoena that requested his testimony.
Despite claiming he possessed evidence that would exonerate him, the committee stated that he did not present this information. Instead, they accused him of trying to mislead the committee to shield his actions from scrutiny.
The extensive inquiry into the matter was prolonged, and Gaetz dismissed the investigation as intrusive and politically motivated. Notably, inquiries into a 2018 trip to the Bahamas with multiple women highlighted Gaetz’s failure to produce critical documentation.
While he voiced his willingness to respond to written questions, he refused to cooperate further after a list of inquiries was submitted.
Lack of Cooperation from the Justice Department
The committee’s examination of Gaetz began in April 2021 but was put on hold at the request of the Justice Department. Work resumed after the Justice Department concluded its investigation without filing charges, but the agency was unhelpful in delivering records related to the inquiry.
The committee’s subpoenas to the Justice Department led to minimal cooperation, with the agency providing only details regarding testimony from a deceased individual. Many women spoke to the committee but were hesitant to relive their experiences, particularly given the Justice Department’s prior inaction.
The lack of cooperation from the Justice Department, compounded by its earlier request for the investigation to pause, greatly delayed the committee’s work.
