Updated Story: Matt Gaetz Faces Ethics Inquiry Over Accusations

23 Dec at 9:14 pm

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Updated Story: Matt Gaetz Faces Ethics Inquiry Over Accusations \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The House Ethics Committee’s report on Rep. Matt Gaetz exposes allegations of sex with an underage girl and a lifestyle involving payments to women for sex and drug-fueled events. Gaetz denies wrongdoing and asserts no charges were filed following a Justice Department probe. The report cites substantial evidence and accusations of obstruction by Gaetz during the investigation.

Matt Gaetz Ethics Allegations: Quick Looks

Key Findings: Allegations of payments for sex, drug use, and a lifestyle involving younger women.
Underage Sex Claim: Evidence points to sexual encounters with a 17-year-old, corroborated by multiple witnesses.
Investigative Roadblocks: Gaetz failed to comply with subpoenas and did not provide evidence to refute claims.
Justice Department’s Role: DOJ did not file charges and did not fully cooperate with the Ethics Committee.
Committee’s Conclusion: Gaetz’s actions did not meet Congressional standards, though obstruction was not criminal.

Deep Look

Updated Story: House Ethics Committee Exposes Matt Gaetz Allegations in Bombshell Report

The House Ethics Committee has released its long-awaited report on Rep. Matt Gaetz, unveiling a litany of serious allegations against the Florida Republican. Among the most salacious claims are accusations of sex with an underage girl and a pattern of payments to women for sex and drug-fueled events. The bipartisan investigation outlines years of alleged misconduct while Gaetz served in Congress, supported by evidence including text messages, payment receipts, and testimonies from multiple witnesses.

Despite the report’s findings, Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing, arguing that no criminal charges were ever brought against him by the Justice Department, which also investigated the allegations. The report casts doubt on Gaetz’s denials and highlights significant ethical breaches that undermine his role as a member of Congress.

Payments for Sex and Drug-Related Encounters

The Ethics Committee’s investigation, spanning 2017 to 2020, found that Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women, allegedly for activities tied to sex and drug use. Payments were made using digital platforms like PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp, as well as through cash and checks. The committee described these payments as transactional, with text messages corroborating that Gaetz understood the nature of these relationships.

In one notable text exchange, Gaetz reportedly balked at a woman’s request for money, sarcastically stating she only provided him with a “drive by.” Women interviewed by the committee confirmed there was a general expectation of sex when they engaged with Gaetz, with one woman estimating that sex was involved “99 percent of the time” they spent together.

The report also details how Gaetz requested women to bring drugs, including ecstasy, to their meetings. The allegations extend beyond Florida, with the congressman allegedly arranging travel and accommodations for women he paid for sexual encounters. Text messages reveal instances where Gaetz invited women to events or getaways, orchestrating logistics to ensure their participation.

Connection to Joel Greenberg and Sex Trafficking Allegations

The investigation highlights the role of Joel Greenberg, a former Seminole County tax collector and Gaetz associate, who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges in 2021. Greenberg facilitated introductions between Gaetz and women through an online service.

One particularly incriminating exchange involved Greenberg communicating with a 20-year-old woman about bringing a friend to meet Gaetz. The woman mentioned she typically charged “$400 per meet,” to which Greenberg replied, “He understands the deal,” accompanied by a smiley emoji. Greenberg even confirmed whether the women were old enough to drink, further implicating Gaetz in questionable activities.

Underage Sex Allegation and Testimonies

The report’s most serious allegation involves a 2017 party where Gaetz is accused of engaging in sexual activity with multiple women, including a 17-year-old girl. Testimony from the girl, now an adult, and corroboration from other witnesses support the claim that Gaetz paid her $400 in cash for sex that night.

According to the report, the then-17-year-old had just completed her junior year in high school and had taken ecstasy on the night in question. Despite her drug use, she stated with certainty that she had sexual encounters with Gaetz.

The committee noted there is no evidence that Gaetz knew she was underage at the time, as the girl did not disclose her age, nor did Gaetz inquire about it. However, after learning her true age more than a month later, Gaetz reportedly continued to communicate with her and engaged in another paid sexual encounter with her less than six months after she turned 18.

Gaetz’s Defense and Allegations of Obstruction

Gaetz has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing. In public statements and on social media, he framed the committee’s findings as a politically motivated attack. He claimed the payments to women were misconstrued and that none were tied to prostitution or illegal activity.

In one post, Gaetz wrote, “Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn’t ask for — and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” He criticized the timing of the report’s release just before Christmas, suggesting it was designed to undermine him politically.

Despite his claims of innocence, the committee accused Gaetz of obstructing its investigation. He failed to comply with subpoenas for testimony and documents, offering incomplete or misleading information in several instances. For example, Gaetz provided evidence of his plane ticket to the Bahamas for a 2018 trip with multiple women but refused to submit documentation of his return flight, which was on a private plane.

The committee stated that Gaetz’s actions violated House ethical standards, though they did not rise to the level of criminal obstruction. His behavior, the report said, was inconsistent with the requirement that members of Congress “act in a manner that reflects creditably upon the House.”

Justice Department’s Role and Delays in the Investigation

The Ethics Committee’s investigation was initially delayed at the request of the Justice Department, which was conducting its own probe into sex trafficking allegations against Gaetz. That inquiry ultimately ended without charges, but the DOJ’s lack of cooperation hindered the committee’s work.

The committee sought records from the Justice Department, including testimonies from women involved, but the agency refused to provide them. Some women were reluctant to testify again after sharing their stories with the DOJ, citing frustration with the lack of action on their earlier statements.

Despite these challenges, the committee compiled its findings through interviews, subpoenas, and extensive document reviews, concluding that Gaetz engaged in behavior that was inconsistent with his responsibilities as a congressman.

Broader Implications

The report is a damning portrayal of a sitting member of Congress accused of engaging in unethical and potentially illegal behavior. While Gaetz remains defiant, the findings raise serious questions about his conduct and the accountability of public officials.

The investigation underscores the difficulties in pursuing justice in cases involving powerful individuals, especially when government agencies fail to cooperate. For Gaetz, the damage to his reputation and credibility may have lasting political consequences, even in the absence of criminal charges.