House Ethics Committee Uncovers Shocking Evidence of Matt Gaetz’s Involvement with Minor and Drug Use

A comprehensive investigation into former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz has revealed substantial evidence supporting allegations that he engaged in sexual activities with a minor, utilized illicit drugs, and compensated women for sex. The findings, released by the House Ethics Committee, have cast a long shadow over Gaetz’s political career.

The committee published its report on Monday, concluding a lengthy inquiry amid speculation surrounding the public release of the findings. Gaetz, who joined the House in 2017, resigned in November after being nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for the position of attorney general. However, Gaetz appeared to evade accountability as he stepped down amid these serious allegations.

In a secret vote earlier this month, the Ethics Committee decided to move forward with the publication of their report. The investigation uncovered that Gaetz made substantial payments to women, ranging from several hundred dollars to over $63,000, using various payment platforms. These transactions likely related to sexual activity and drug use, according to committee findings. Notably, some payments were made under pseudonyms or through others’ accounts.

The report highlighted one instance involving a long-term relationship where Gaetz paid approximately $63,000 to a woman. However, this same individual invoked the Fifth Amendment when questioned about any possible payments for sex or drugs. Lawmakers expressed that this, combined with other evidence, led them to believe that the majority of these payments were indeed for illicit activities.

Included in the evidence were chat logs from 2018 between Joel Greenberg, a former Seminole County tax collector now convicted of sex trafficking minors, and a 20-year-old woman from SeekingArrangement.com. The communications suggested that Greenberg was facilitating a meeting between the woman and Gaetz, with drug use mentioned in the exchanges.

Witnesses have testified to seeing Gaetz using ecstasy, while the report indicates that he also possessed cocaine multiple times during his congressional tenure. Furthermore, there are corroborations of Gaetz allegedly engaging in sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl at a party in July 2017, for which a payment of $400 was made to her post-party, presumed by her to be compensation for sex.

Additional findings suggested possible violations of House rules concerning gifts and hospitality. Gaetz allegedly accepted travel and accommodations for a trip to the Bahamas in 2018 and arranged for assistance to a woman with a passport under misleading pretenses. Throughout the investigation, the lawmaker reportedly attempted to obstruct the committee’s efforts and potentially misled investigators regarding various aspects of the inquiry.

According to the committee, there exists “substantial evidence” that Gaetz breached multiple conduct rules, including those against prostitution, statutory rape, drug use, and obstruction of Congress. In response to the report’s release, Gaetz argued on social media that he was denied a fair opportunity to present his case, suggesting that this investigation was politically motivated.

Following the report’s release, Gaetz filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in an attempt to prevent the dissemination of the ethics report. Although he acknowledged sending payments to women he dated, Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to the allegations.

With Gaetz no longer serving in Congress, the Ethics Committee’s capacity to impose any sanctions is limited. His withdrawal from the attorney general nomination came shortly after the ethics investigation surfaced, citing a desire not to distract from Trump’s agenda. Subsequently, Gaetz has taken on a role as a host at One America News Network, continuing his engagement in the media landscape.