House Ethics scathing report on former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz released

WASHINGTON (TNND) — A final draft of the House Ethics Committee’s report on former Florida representative Matt Gaetz, who was President-elect Donald Trump’s first choice for attorney general, revealed shocking allegations.

The committee determined that there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illegal drug use, illegal gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” the panel’s investigators wrote in a final draft of their report obtained by CNN.

The bipartisan committee investigated transactions Gaetz personally made, often using PayPal or Venmo, to more than a dozen women during his time in Congress.

The report lists payments to various women between 2017 and 2020 and claims the money was likely linked to sexual activity and drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy. The committee also obtained testimony alleging that Gaetz had sex twice with a 17-year-old girl. The victim told the committee that she remembered receiving $400 in cash from Gaetz, which she perceived as payment for sex.

Gaetz is also accused of creating a fake email from his Capitol Hill office for the purpose of buying marijuana and referred to drugs as party favors, rolls and vitamins.

The report did not reveal sufficient evidence of violations of federal sex-trafficking laws. The committee wrote: “Although Representative Gaetz caused the transportation of women across state lines for the purpose of commercial sex, the committee did not find evidence that any of these women were under the age of 18 at the time of travel, nor did the committee find sufficient evidence that conclude that the commercial sexual acts were induced by force, fraud or coercion.”

The Florida Republican has denied any inappropriate behavior. Last week Gaetz wrote in a post on X that his “behavior in the 30s may have been embarrassing, but not criminal.” The former congressman refused to sit for sworn testimony and provided only written answers to some of the committee’s questions, according to the investigation.

The committee also alleged that Gaetz knowingly and willfully sought to obstruct and obstruct the investigation.

It concluded that Gaetz violated Florida laws, including the state’s statutory rape statute.

The House Ethics Committee had originally voted not to release the findings after Gaetz resigned from Congress in November. However, they reversed that decision and voted in secret earlier this month.

While ethics reports have been released after a member’s resignation in the past, it is extremely rare, the Associated Press reported.

Editor’s note: This story is in development and will be updated.