Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican who briefly ran to be President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general, was found by congressional ethics investigators to have solicited multiple women — including a 17-year-old girl. He also paid for sex, and purchased and used illegal drugs, including in his Capitol Hill office, according to the final draft of a sweeping investigative report obtained by CBS News.
They were among the findings of a long-running investigation by the House Ethics Committee into Gaetz, which concluded that the former Florida congressman violated multiple state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office.
The 37-page report concludes, “The Committee determined that there was substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House rules and regulations regarding prostitution, statutory rape, illegal drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress.” Violated other standards of player conduct.”
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Gaetz resigned from Congress in November after Trump Plans announced To nominate him for Attorney General. But facing opposition from some fellow Republicans, Gaetz withdrew After a week of consideration. Ethics report releasedThe expected Monday will end — at least for now — Gaetz's fiery tenure on Capitol Hill, where he became one of the most vocal and provocative members of the pro-Trump faction in Congress.
Gaetz has denied any inappropriate conduct and claimed that the claims were a “smear” fabricated by his political enemies. The committee said the Congressman refused to sit for the oath-taking, although he had submitted written answers to some of the committee's questions.
The report gives new voice to allegations of misconduct that have circulated for years despite Gaetz's staunch denials. It is based on the testimony of witnesses who told the committee they were paid to have sex with Gaetz, text messages discussing the transactions, and Venmo and PayPal receipts.
The report's most ridiculous findings included allegations of sex and drug-filled parties and travel, including in 2018. trip to bahamas Where witnesses say he achieved ecstasy and had sex with four women.
“From 2017 to 2020, Representative Gaetz made thousands of dollars in payments to women that the Committee determined were likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use,” the report states. women.
The committee said it also received testimony that Gaetz had sex with “Victim A” twice at a party in 2017. Jo was 17 years old at the time and had just completed her junior year in high school.
“Victim A recalled receiving $400 in cash from Representative Gaetz that evening, which she believed to be payment for sex,” the committee wrote. “Victim A stated that she did not tell Deputy Gaetz that she was under 18 at the time, nor did he ask her age.”
In his written response to the committee, Gaetz denied having sex with a minor. Justice Department first examined Gaetz was accused of violating sex trafficking laws but was not charged. The committee said it did not find sufficient evidence that Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws because although he transported women across state lines for sex, all of the women were 18 years of age or older. She was older than him.
The report said all of the women who testified said that the sexual relationships with Gaetz were consensual, with one woman telling the committee that drug use at parties and events he attended caused “damage” Could.[ed their] The ability to actually know what was going on or complete agreement.”
Another woman told the committee, “When I look back at certain moments, I feel humiliated.”
The report found “substantial evidence” of Gaetz's involvement in large-scale illegal drug use. The committee said it had received text messages sent by him in which he described the drugs as “party goodies,” “rolls” or “vitamins.” It also said he created a fake email from his Capitol Hill office “for the purpose of purchasing marijuana.” The report said Gaetz had denied using illegal drugs in his written response to the committee.
In addition to sexual misconduct and illegal drug use, the report also accused Gaetz of accepting luxury travel gifts that exceeded permissible limits during a 2018 trip to the Bahamas. And, it says he arranged for his chief of staff to assist a woman, with whom he engaged in sexual activity, in obtaining a passport, falsely indicating to the State Department that she was one of his constituents. Was.
Gaetz told conservative personality Charlie Kirk last month that he planned to spend the coming years “fighting for President Trump.”
“I think maybe eight years in the United States Congress is enough time,” Gaetz said, although last week, he floated the idea in a post on X. returning to participate In the election of House Speaker.
House Ethics Committee did voted early To keep the report secret, but reverse course In a secret ballot earlier this month. Two Republican members of the committee were among those who voted for its release, according to two sources familiar with the voting. The committee has 10 members, evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats.