Washington — Former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz has been at the center of scandal and controversy for the past few months. But on Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Ethics Committee released a report that shed light on the extent of his misconduct.
The 37-page report stated that Gaetz had paid tens of thousands of dollars to women for drugs and sex, in violation of a series of House rules. The committee found evidence that Gaetz paid $90,000 to 12 women, a large portion of which was likely for sexual activity or drug use.
Gaetz, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, resigned from his position in the House of Representatives last month after being selected by President-elect Donald Trump to be attorney general. However, he withdrew from consideration following an uphill confirmation battle in the Senate.
Despite a last-minute legal challenge from Gaetz, arguing that the Ethics panel no longer had jurisdiction over him since he had resigned, the committee went ahead with releasing the report to the public.
In its conclusion, the committee stated that there was substantial evidence that Gaetz had violated House rules and other standards of conduct, including prostitution, statutory rape, drug use, and obstruction of Congress.
The report also revealed that Gaetz had been involved in transporting women across state lines for commercial sex, but found no evidence that any of the women were underage or were coerced into the acts.
However, one victim, identified as “Victim A,” testified that she had twice had sex with Gaetz at a party in 2017 when she was underage, and received a $400 cash payment that she understood to be for sex. She had just completed her junior year of high school at the time and did not inform Gaetz of her age, nor did he ask.
Gaetz, in a written submission to the panel, denied having sex with anyone under the age of 18 but did not address the specific allegations regarding “Victim A.”
The release of the report was not a unanimous decision, with Chairman Michael Guest issuing a dissenting statement. While he did not challenge the committee’s findings, he expressed concern about deviating from “well-established standards” by releasing a report on a former member of the House.
Gaetz’s lawyers also filed a complaint seeking to block the release of the report, arguing that the committee did not have jurisdiction over former members and that the report would contain “untruthful and defamatory information” about Gaetz. However, a federal judge had not yet ruled on their request at the time of the report’s publication.
This is not the first time Gaetz has been embroiled in controversy. He was the subject of a three-year FBI investigation into allegations of sex trafficking, which ultimately produced no criminal charges. In 2023, he also played a key role in forcing a successful vote by the House to oust its speaker, Kevin McCarthy, who had only been in the job for nine months.
Despite these revelations, Gaetz has maintained his innocence and has not yet commented on the release of the report. However, the Ethics Committee’s findings serve as a reminder that no one is above the law, and lawmakers must be held accountable for their actions.
The committee’s decision to make the report public speaks to their commitment to transparency and upholding the integrity of the House of Representatives. It also sends a clear message that misconduct, whether it be related to drugs, sex, or obstruction of Congress, will not be tolerated.
It is essential that all members of Congress, both past and present, uphold the highest ethical standards and serve as role models for the American people. The release of this report serves as a wake-up call for all lawmakers to prioritize their responsibilities and serve with integrity and dignity.
In the end, the truth always prevails, and it is the duty of the Ethics Committee to ensure that justice is served. Let us hope that this report serves as a lesson for all politicians to always prioritize the well-being and trust of the American people above all else.
