The US House Ethics Committee accused Matt Gaetz of ‘regularly paying women, including a 17-year-old girl, for sex and purchasing and using illicit drugs.’ The bipartisan report indicated there is substantial evidence that he violated numerous House rules regarding prostitution, statutory rape, and illicit drug use while serving as a member of Congress.
Despite being subjected to these serious allegations, Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing that as a former member of the House, he has had ‘no opportunity to debate or rebut’ the findings against him.
The bipartisan panel's investigation, which has been ongoing since 2021, culminated in substantial accusations, including transporting women across state lines for commercial sex. However, it was noted that while one woman testified about an encounter when she was underage, the panel did not find substantial evidence to conclude that any acts were induced by force or coercion.
The report's release is particularly significant as ethics reports on former members are rarely disclosed unless they have resigned. The urgency around the findings seemed heightened with Gaetz's association with President-elect Donald Trump, whose endorsement had raised concerns within the Republican party.
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