House Ethics Report Alleges ‘Substantial Evidence’ Against Matt Gaetz

What Happened?

The House Ethics Committee released its report Monday concluding an investigation into the alleged acts of former Rep. Matt Gaetz.

In a 42-page report, the committee findings state that the Florida Republican of having regularly paid women, including a 17-year-old girl, for sex or drugs.

Gaetz also allegedly made payments surrounding these acts through PayPal or Venmo to more than a dozen women during his time in Congress.

The 17-year-old girl claimed in the report to have been under the influence of ecstasy and received $400 in cash from Gaetz ‘which she understood to be payment for sex.’

She also alleged to have seen Gaetz use cocaine during the encounter.

The committee concluded there was 'substantial evidence' that Gaetz violated House Rules, state and federal laws, and other standards of conduct.

But Gaetz reportedly denied any wrongdoing previously in a separate Justice Department probe into allegations of sex trafficking that ended with no charges.

A civil complaint was filed Monday by Gaetz in federal court to attempt to block the report's release.

Gaetz claimed he was not notified of the panel’s plans to release the report and was not provided with copies of the materials.

According to reports, the House Ethics Committee secretly voted to release its report earlier this month after initially opposing it.

The report was released after Gaetz, who briefly stood as President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general nomination, resigned from Congress in November.

Why it Matters

Gaetz's team has called the actions ‘unconstitutional and ultra vires attempt to exercise jurisdiction over a private citizen’ by releasing this report.

His team also adds that the committee's actions can have ‘potentially defamatory allegations, in violation of the Committee’s own rules.’

In a social media post last week, Gaetz said, ‘I’ve had no chance to ever confront any accusers. I’ve never been charged. I’ve never been sued.’

Gaetz referenced his single years where he ‘sent funds’ to women he dated and claims he ‘never had sexual contact with someone under 18.’

In 2021, the FBI investigated Gaetz over possible sex trafficking violations, but the Department of Justice did not bring charges.

House Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly said he did not think the report should have been released since Gaetz was no longer a member of Congress, which is considered rare.

Others viewed Gaetz's resignation as an attempt to bury the investigation, despite the DOJ's efforts in 2021.

Although Gaetz and his team's next actions are unclear, the former congressman looks ahead to launching a new show on the pro-Trump One America News Network in January.

How it Affects You

Florida will conduct a special election on April 1, 2025, to fill the House seat vacated by Gaetz.

Some claim the focus on Congress members should be passing long-term legislation in unison amid Trump's incoming administration.

Trump's team will consist of new strategic groups and approaches.

Congress leadership will be tested as it is set to have a Republican majority in the House and Senate.