A new report revealed on Wednesday has added more fuel to the fire surrounding Rep. Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump's controversial attorney general nominee, who is facing scrutiny across the aisle for alleged sexual misconduct, drug use, accepting improper gifts and other accusations, all of which the former Florida lawmaker denies.
Documents obtained by ABC News show records, obtained by the House Ethics Committee, including a check and records of Venmo payments that demonstrate Getz paid more than $10,000 to two women who were later witnesses in sexual misconduct probes conducted by both the House and the Justice Department.
The payments, made between 2017 and 2019, are part of a larger inquiry into allegations against Gaetz, which include accusations of paying for sex and obstructing justice. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.
The records detail 27 Venmo payments ranging from $100 to over $700. Descriptions included labels such as "Gift," "Travel," and "Car deductible," with some entries featuring emojis. The payments coincide with alleged travel and events under investigation, including a 2018 trip to the Bahamas and flights arranged for women reportedly for sexual encounters. Witness testimony to the Ethics Committee indicated that at least some payments were for sex, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
The Senate Judiciary Committee, which will review the nomination, remains divided. Some members, such as Senator John Kennedy, have expressed willingness to give Gaetz a fair hearing, while others, including Senator Joni Ernst, emphasize the importance of thorough vetting. Senate Republicans hold a narrow majority, making internal consensus critical for confirmation.
The House Ethics Committee will meet behind closed doors Wednesday afternoon to decide whether to publicly release its long-running report on former Getz. The Committee, chaired by Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.), has spent over three years investigating allegations and will consider several options during its meeting, including releasing the report, forwarding it to the Senate, or taking no action.
While the Justice Department previously investigated Gaetz for sex trafficking and other misconduct, no charges were brought. Gaetz and his allies, including X CEO Elon Musk, maintain that the investigations, including the latest Ethics Committee findings, are politically motivated attempts to undermine Trump's administration.
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