Matt Gaetz: Former Trump Attorney General Candidate Allegedly Paid for Sex, Including with a 17-Year-Old, According to US House Report | US News
Matt Gaetz, who was briefly Donald Trump’s pick for US attorney general, reportedly paid women for sex, including a 17-year-old girl, and engaged in drug use during his time as a member of Congress, according to a committee report.
The House Ethics Committee’s findings indicated there was “substantial evidence” that the former Florida congressman breached House rules, as well as state and federal laws, embroiling him in issues related to prostitution, statutory rape, drug use, and obstruction of Congress.
Additionally, the committee alleged that the 42-year-old accepted extravagant gifts exceeding permissible limits, highlighted by a trip to the Bahamas in 2018.
The committee stated: “Between 2017 and 2020, Representative Gaetz disbursed tens of thousands of dollars to women, likely connected to sexual activities and/or drug use.”
Gaetz, a Republican who refutes any allegations against him, sought a restraining order against the committee to prevent the publication of its investigative summary.
In his filing, he accused the committee of an “unconstitutional” maneuver “to assert jurisdiction over a private citizen through the imminent release of a report containing potentially defamatory claims, in contravention of the committee’s own regulations.”
Last month, Trump ally Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for the role of US attorney general, which is the highest legal office in the country.
Gaetz remarked that his consideration had “unfairly become a distraction” for the transition of Trump’s administration into the White House.
Donald Trump and Matt Gaetz in August 2023. Pic: Reuters
The Florida Republican had previously come under investigation regarding sex trafficking allegations, which were scrutinized by the department he had been nominated to lead.
Mr. Gaetz was re-elected to the House of Representatives in November this year but resigned following Mr. Trump’s nomination of him as attorney general.
The House report, spanning 37 pages, stated: “From at least 2017 to 2020, Representative Gaetz routinely compensated women for engaging in sexual activities with him.”
“In 2017, Representative Gaetz engaged in sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl. Between 2017 and 2019, he used or possessed illegal drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy, on multiple occasions.”
‘Sex with 17-year-old girl’
The ethics committee received testimonies indicating that Mr. Gaetz had sexual relations with a minor labeled as Victim A in the report.
It noted: “Victim A recalled receiving $400 in cash from Representative Gaetz that evening, which she believed was payment for sex.
“Victim A mentioned that she did not disclose her age to Representative Gaetz, nor did he inquire about it.”
Mr. Gaetz was under investigation by the Justice Department for three years concerning sex trafficking claims, but no criminal charges were filed.
The ethics panel determined there wasn’t sufficient evidence to establish that Mr. Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws.
All women who testified confirmed that their encounters with Mr. Gaetz were consensual.
‘I feel violated’
However, one woman expressed to the committee that drug use at the parties and events might have “impaired their ability to fully comprehend what was happening or genuinely consent.”
Another woman shared with the committee: “When I reflect on certain moments, I feel violated.”
