The House Ethics Committee is currently investigating allegations against former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, who is President-elect Donald Trump's pick for attorney general. The investigation, initially launched in 2021, has gained momentum after obtaining evidence related to salacious allegations against Gaetz from a civil lawsuit involving his associates.
Witnesses, including a woman who accused Gaetz of having sex with her when she was a minor in 2017, have provided testimony to the House committee. The investigation faced obstacles due to limited access to records from a federal criminal investigation into Gaetz. However, the committee made progress after focusing on evidence from the civil lawsuit, which has been ongoing in an Orlando federal court.
Despite the US Justice Department's decision not to bring charges against Gaetz for alleged sex trafficking and obstruction of justice, the House Ethics Committee continued its probe. Gaetz has consistently denied any wrongdoing, including allegations of engaging in sexual activities with minors.
The committee's draft report, which was set for release before Gaetz resigned to pursue the attorney general position, contains potentially damaging information about the congressman. Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have requested access to the report and underlying materials for review.
The investigation also delves into Gaetz's association with Joel Greenberg, a former associate who pleaded guilty to federal charges, including sex trafficking of a child. Greenberg cooperated with federal investigators, leading to a broader inquiry into Gaetz's activities.
The civil lawsuit involving Gaetz's associates revealed details of alleged parties involving drugs, alcohol, and young women. Testimonies from witnesses, including the formerly underage woman and her friend, shed light on the events surrounding Gaetz.
While some witnesses prefer to keep the information confidential to move on with their lives, the House committee aims to finalize its report. The release of the report was delayed following Gaetz's resignation announcement, which effectively halted the ethics probe.
Despite the challenges faced during the investigation, the House Ethics Committee remains committed to uncovering the truth behind the allegations against Matt Gaetz.
