Former Rep. Matt Gaetz created a fake email from his Capitol Hill office with the ultimate purpose of buying drugs, according to the draft of a damning report from the House Ethics Committee.
The document details a series of actions including paying for sex with multiple women, including a minor, and refusing to comply with a subpoena demanding an interview, and intentionally withholding information from investigators.
The committee determined that 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." It adds that Gaetz had denied using unlawful drugs in his written answers to the committee.
The investigation found that 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." It listed payments totaling over $90,000 to 12 different women.
The former lawmaker admitted to some of the conduct alleged in the report last week after news surfaced that the investigation would be published in a reversal of the initial decision to shelve it. However, he continued to deny having sexual relations with underage women.
The Biden/Garland DOJ spent years reviewing allegations that I committed various crimes.
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) December 18, 2024
I was charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED. Not even a campaign finance violation. And the people investigating me hated me.
Then, the very “witnesses” DOJ deemed not-credible were…
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 in a publication on X last week, making reference to the absence of criminal convictions against him. The document does mention that Gaetz had sex with "Victim A," who at the moment was 17-years-old.
The report also details allegations of parties filled with sexual encounters and drug use, including a 2018 trip to the Bahamas. Witnesses interviewed by the committee said he took ecstasy and had sex with four women.
Gaetz resigned from Congress in November immediately after President-elect Donald Trump nominated him as attorney general and as the investigation was set to be released. However, he withdrew his name from consideration shortly after as opposition to his candidacy mounted.
Gaetz rejected returning to Congress, with his next known job being anchor at One America Network. He nonetheless might seek retaliation, saying on X he could expose settlements for sexual misconduct allegations funded by taxpayer dollars.
Someone suggested the following plan to me:
— Former Congressman Matt Gaetz (@FmrRepMattGaetz) December 18, 2024
1. Show up 1/3/2025 to congress
2. Participate in Speaker election (I was elected to the 119th Congress, after all…)
3. Take the oath
4. File a privileged motion to expose every “me too” settlement paid using public funds (even of…
Gaetz outlined potential steps, including taking his oath of office for the upcoming 119th Congress on January 3, 2025, filing a privileged motion to disclose all "#MeToo" settlements involving current and former members of Congress, and then resigning to start his post at OAN.
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