An investigation by the House Ethics Committee found that former Representative Matt Gaetz paid multiple women for sex, including a 17-year-old, and used illegal drugs, according to leaked drafts of the committee’s report.
“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 states, according to drafts obtained by CBS News and Just the News.
Gaetz, a Florida Republican who resigned from office in November, was President-elect Donald Trump’s initial nominee for attorney general. Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration to avoid becoming a “distraction.”
The report’s findings are based on witness testimony, text messages about the payments, and Venmo and PayPal receipts for the transactions. It details Gaetz’s alleged travel for sex and drug parties, and $90,000 of transactions he made to 12 women over several years.
“From 2017 to 2020, Representative Gaetz made tens of thousands of dollars in payments to women that the Committee determined were likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use,” the report says.
At a party in 2017, Gaetz twice had sex with “victim A,” identified as a 17-year-old girl who had just finished her junior year in high school, the committee determined. Gaetz paid the girl $400, which she believed to be for sex. She told investigators that she did not tell Gaetz her age and he did not ask her about it.
The report also lays out considerable evidence that Gaetz engaged in illicit drug use and appears to show coded text messages where he used slang words such as “party favors” and “vitamins” to refer to the substances. The committee further alleges Gaetz created a fake email account to purchase marijuana
The committee initially declined to release the report on Gaetz’s activities following his resignation. Earlier this month, the panel held a secret vote and decided to release it.
Gaetz has adamantly denied any wrongdoing and noted the Justice Department’s decision not to prosecute him after conducting a lengthy criminal investigation into the same allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.
“In my single days, I often sent funds to women I dated – even some I never dated but who asked. I dated several of these women for years. I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court – which is why no such claim was ever made in court,” Gaetz said on X last week. “It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now.”
Gaetz declined to testify before the committee, instead sending written responses to some of its questions, including a denial that he engaged in sex with an underage girl. The Ethics Committee accused Gaetz of illegally obstructing the investigation and violating House ethics rules by misleading the panel during its long-running probe.
“The Committee determined that Representative Gaetz’ attempts to mislead and deter the Committee from investigating him implicated federal criminal laws relating to false statements and obstruction of Congress,” the report adds. “Even if Representative Gaetz’s obstructive conduct in this investigation did not rise to the level of a criminal violation, it was certainly inconsistent with the requirement that Members act in a manner that reflects creditably upon the House.”
After Trump picked him to be attorney general, Gaetz resigned from Congress to prepare for a potentially extended confirmation battle, ending his tenure in the House as an outspoken Trump ally and critic of the chamber’s GOP leadership.
The allegations contained in the committee’s report ultimately prompted Gaetz to withdraw his name from consideration for attorney general as multiple Republicans appeared hesitant to confirm him over his past behavior and policy positions.
Trump nominated former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi, a Republican, to be his attorney general after Gaetz stepped aside.