House Ethics Committee says Matt Gaetz may have violated state laws on prostitution, statutory rape in final report
Last edited Mon Dec 23, 2024, 02:17 PM - Edit history (1)
Source: NBC News
Dec. 23, 2024, 10:45 AM EST / Updated Dec. 23, 2024, 12:04 PM EST
The House Ethics Committee's final report on its investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., found that he engaged in a long list of conduct that violates House Rules and some that are potentially criminal offenses at the state level. The committee released its 42-page report Monday morning after a lengthy investigation.
"The Committee determined there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress," the report reads.
Gaetz has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and on Monday, in a series of posts on X, denied paying for sex.
Gaetz vacated his seat in November, days before the report was expected to be made public and after President-elect Donald Trump announced him as his pick for U.S. attorney general. Gaetz withdrew his bid after more details on the Ethics Committee investigation and other allegations were reported.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/matt-gaetz-report-house-ethics-committee-sexual-allegations-rcna184702
Link to final REPORT (PDF) - https://ethics.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Committee-Report.pdf
Link to House Ethics Committee Publications site - In the Matter of Allegations Relating to Representative Matt Gaetz
Article updated.
Original article/headline -
Dec. 23, 2024, 10:45 AM EST
The House Ethics Committee Monday released its report summarizing the investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who vacated his seat days before the report was expected to initially be made public. A woman told the committee she saw Gaetz at a party having sex with a minor, her lawyer told NBC News last month.
Two additional women told the committee that Gaetz had paid them for sex, including a woman who said he paid a woman for sex at a small, invitation-only party in Florida, where prostitution is illegal, in 2017 while he was a member of the House, their lawyer told NBC News. Those women were of age at the time.
The same woman told the panel that, at the same party, she witnessed Gaetz having sex with her friend, who was 17 years old at the time.
Prior to the report's release, Gaetz had repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, noting that a separate Justice Department probe into allegations of sex trafficking ended with no charges.
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