Washington – The House Ethics Committee quietly voted to release it report The investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz regarding allegations of sexual misconduct and obstruction reversed course after Republicans originally blocked its release, multiple sources familiar with the matter said.
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. A source with direct knowledge of the process said the vote was taken on December 5.
Sources said the report is likely to be unveiled in the coming days after the final vote of the 118th Congress. MPs face Friday deadline Approve new government funding And avoid shutdowns before you go home for the holidays. cnn First reported Thursday, the committee voted behind closed doors earlier this month to release the report.
Republicans in the entire House recently blocked Two Democratic resolutions that would have forced the Ethics Committee to release a potentially damaging report on its investigation into Gaetz would have voted to send the matter back to the committee.
Gaetz resigned from Congress shortly after President-elect Donald Trump said he planned to do so nominated Gaetz will become attorney general in November. But Gaetz soon withdrew from consideration, facing a potentially contentious confirmation process. Gaetz has said that he does not intend to take the oath of office for the same seat in the 119th Congress, and he launching a new show on Trump supporter One America News Network in January.
It is highly unusual, but not unprecedented, for the House Ethics Committee to issue a report on a member who is no longer in office. In other investigations, the prospect of the report's release has been enough to prompt congressmen to resign in order to keep the investigation's target secret. Senior lawmakers, including some Democrats, have expressed concerns about the precedent set by unveiling Gaetz's findings after he has already left office.
Committee in June issued a statement Saying it was investigating allegations against Gaetz that included sexual misconduct, illegal drug use and bribery.
Multiple sources told CBS News at the time four women had informed the Ethics Committee that he was paid to go to parties that included sex and drugs, and that Gaetz also attended. The committee has Gaetz's Venmo transactions that allegedly show payments to women.
Gaetz has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and called the committee's investigation a “frivolous” smear campaign.
The House Ethics Committee declined to comment. Gaetz issued a long statement on x In response, he said that he “probably should have been partying, dealing with women, drinking and smoking” but that he did not do anything illegal.
He wrote, “In my single days, I often sent money to women I dated – even some I never dated but who asked.” “I dated many of these women for years. I never had sexual contact with anyone under the age of 18. Any claim of mine would be destroyed in a court of law – which is why any such claim would never be heard in a court of law. Never been done.”
He said the ethics investigation relies on witnesses the Justice Department “does not consider credible.”
He wrote, “I never had a chance to confront any of my accusers. I was never accused. I was never prosecuted.” “Instead, House Ethics will reportedly post a report online that as a former member of the body I have no opportunity to debate or refute.”
Some of the allegations of sexual misconduct under review by the committee were the subject of a previous Justice Department investigation into Gaetz. Federal investigators tried to determine whether Gaetz violated sex trafficking and obstruction of justice laws, but no charges filed,