Ethics committee accuses Gaetz of paying for sex, drugs – DW – 12/23/2024

The US House Ethics Committee on Monday accused Matt Gaetz of “routinely” paying women, including a 17-year-old girl, for sex and the purchase and use of illegal drugs while the Florida Republican was a member of Congress.

“The Committee determined that there was substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House rules and other standards of conduct that govern prostitution, statutory rape, illegal drug use, unacceptable gifts, special favors or privileges, and conduct in Congress. “Hinder,” the report said. Bipartisan panel.

Gaetz has repeatedly denied all wrongdoing, saying last week that as a former member of the House he would have “no opportunity to debate or refute” the findings.

Its publication comes after he joined all five Democrats in a secret vote to release the report about his former aide despite initial opposition from GOP lawmakers to releasing findings about a former member of Congress.

While ethics reports have previously been issued following a member’s resignation, this is extremely rare. The often secretive bipartisan panel has investigated the claims against Gaetz since 2021.

What was said in the report?

The report found evidence that Gaetz was involved in transporting women across state lines for the purpose of commercial sex. The panel did not provide evidence that any of the women were under the age of 18 at the time of the trip.

“Nor did the Committee find sufficient evidence to conclude that the commercial sexual acts were motivated by force, fraud or coercion,” the report said.

A man identified as “Victim A” told the panel that he had sex with Gaetz twice at a party in 2017, while she was underage. She said she received a cash payment of $400. She said she did not tell Gaetz her age and he did not ask.

The 37-page report also said Gaetz regularly used cocaine and ecstasy and purchased marijuana.
The committee’s work took on greater urgency last month when President-elect Donald Trump selected Gaetz as his attorney general nominee.

Gaetz resigned from Congress the same day, removing him from the Ethics Committee’s jurisdiction, but the report was made public even after Democrats withdrew from consideration of Gaetz as Trump’s choice to lead the Justice Department. Was pressured to do so.

FTM/SMS (AP, Reuters)