Former GOP Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida allegedly paid several women for sex — including a 17-year-old high school girl — and used illegal drugs like ecstasy and cocaine, according to a report by the House Ethics Committee.
The 37-page report released on Monday morning concluded that Gaetz violated numerous Florida state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office.
“The Committee concluded there was substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules, state and federal laws, and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, acceptance of impermissible gifts, the provision of special favors and privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” states the report.
Former Rep. Gaetz has consistently denied any accusations of wrongdoing, and an earlier federal investigation into the allegations ended with no charges against him. Earlier on Monday, Gaetz filed a lawsuit in an attempt to block the release of the report.
The committee report stated that Gaetz “continuously sought to deflect, deter, or mislead the Committee in order to prevent his actions from being exposed.”
The report alleges that despite the denials by Gaetz, he made tens of thousands of dollars in payments to women “likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use” from 2017 to 2020.
Report: Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old minor
In one sexual encounter, Gaetz allegedly had sex with a 17-year-old minor at a summer 2017 party, according to the committee’s report. The report concluded the act violated the statutory rape law in Florida, even though the girl, identified as “Victim A” in the report, said she never told Gaetz her age.
“The Committee received testimony that Victim A and Representative Gaetz had sex twice during the party, including at least once in the presence of other party attendees,” alleged the draft report.
The 17-year-old girl claimed to have received $400 in cash from Gaetz, “which she understood to be payment for sex,” per the report. She said she was under the influence of ecstasy at the time of the encounter while alleging she saw Gaetz use cocaine.
The report from the committee stated it didn’t receive any evidence indicating Gaetz was aware the girl was a minor when he allegedly had sex with her.
The report additionally alleges Gaetz refused to comply with a subpoena demanding an interview and “intentionally withheld information” about a trip to the Bahamas with women.
The committee said it obtained text messages allegedly sent to women by Gaetz, asking them to bring drugs “to their rendezvous,” referring to drugs as “party favors,” “vitamins,” or “rolls.”
In interviews with the committee, witnesses said they observed Gaetz using marijuana, states the report.
The multi-year investigation into Gaetz by the House Ethics Committee, involving allegations of illicit drug use and sex with a minor, came to a swift halt last month after he resigned from Congress hours after President-elect Donald Trump tapped him to be his attorney general.
Later, Gaetz dropped out of consideration for the post amidst quiet, steady Republican opposition.
The House Ethics Committee lost its jurisdiction to continue its investigation into the accusations against Gaetz after his congressional resignation. While the committee “has typically not released its findings after losing jurisdiction in a matter,” as the report notes, a majority of committee members determined the findings should be released as they were in the public interest.
On Monday, Gaetz filed a lawsuit to block the release of the committee’s report.
