The House Ethics Committee has released a report accusing former U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., of sexual misconduct, drug use, and abusing his congressional position between 2017 and 2020.
The report follows a three-and-a-half-year investigation and has sparked significant public interest and criticism.
The 42-page document alleges that Gaetz participated in activities including sexual relationships with women he paid, one of whom was 17 years old at the time.
According to the report, the woman, referred to as “Victim A,” testified that she had sexual encounters with Gaetz and received $400 after one such meeting in July 2017. Gaetz’s actions reportedly included attending parties fueled by drugs like cocaine and ecstasy.
Further accusations claim Gaetz misused his congressional authority to obtain an expedited passport for a woman he was involved with romantically, falsely presenting her as a constituent.
The report also outlines evidence that he accepted improper gifts, including transportation and lodging during a 2018 trip to the Bahamas. That trip allegedly involved sexual activity and drug use, funded in part by payments made through platforms like Venmo and PayPal.
Despite the Department of Justice previously deciding not to press charges against Gaetz for potential sex trafficking violations, the Ethics Committee found substantial evidence to support claims of wrongdoing. The committee concluded that his actions violated House rules, state and federal laws, and ethical standards expected of public officials.
Gaetz, who resigned from Congress in November 2024 after being nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for the role of U.S. Attorney General, has denied all allegations.
He withdrew from consideration for the position amid growing criticism and scrutiny following the Ethics Committee’s investigation. In response to the report’s release, Gaetz argued that it contained “defamatory information” and claimed the committee lacked jurisdiction over him after his resignation.
In a lawsuit filed shortly before the report’s publication, Gaetz challenged its release, calling it a violation of due process and accusing the committee of overreach. His lawsuit was ultimately unsuccessful as the report was made public.
On social media, Gaetz acknowledged some of his past behavior but maintained that the allegations did not rise to criminal conduct.
“My 30s were an era of working very hard—and playing hard, too,” he wrote. “It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank, and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now.”
The decision to release the findings was not without controversy.
Top Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, had opposed the publication, arguing that it set a dangerous precedent by targeting a former member of Congress. Nevertheless, the Ethics Committee voted to proceed, citing public interest.
The report raises questions about Gaetz’s future in politics.
While he recently hinted at a possible Senate run or a gubernatorial bid in Florida, the revelations could pose significant challenges to his ambitions. Representative Glenn Ivey, (D-MD), who serves on the Ethics Committee, remarked that the information in the report could be critical for voters or employers evaluating Gaetz in the future.
The release marks a rare instance of the Ethics Committee publishing findings on a former member of Congress, the last being in 2006. As the fallout continues, Gaetz remains a polarizing figure, with the report likely to influence both public opinion and his political trajectory.