Court records, Department of Justice announcements, or public statements

Ethics Report Finds Gaetz Paid 17-Year-Old for Sex, Violated Statutory Rape Law

Dec 23, 2024, 04:37 PM

The bipartisan House Ethics Committee released a 42-page report accusing former Representative Matt Gaetz of paying women for sex, including a 17-year-old high school student, and using illicit drugs while in office. The report found 'substantial evidence' that Gaetz violated federal laws and House rules prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, acceptance of impermissible gifts, provision of special favors, and obstruction of Congress. According to the report, Gaetz, who was 35 at the time, paid tens of thousands of dollars to women for sex or drugs on at least 20 occasions from 2017 to 2020, including paying the underage girl for sex in 2017. The committee also found evidence that Gaetz regularly used illegal drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy and participated in sex-filled parties. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing.