Court verdicts or official legal announcements

Matt Gaetz Accused of Statutory Rape in Ethics Report He Tried to Block

Dec 23, 2024, 03:48 PM

The House Ethics Committee has released a 37-page report on former Representative Matt Gaetz, detailing allegations of sexual misconduct, drug use, and obstruction of Congress. The report finds "substantial evidence" that from 2017 to 2020, Gaetz "regularly paid women for engaging in sexual activity with him," including a 17-year-old girl, and possessed illegal drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy on multiple occasions. The investigation also revealed that Gaetz accepted impermissible gifts, including lodging and transportation on a trip to the Bahamas. Payments were allegedly made through Venmo and PayPal. Gaetz, who was once considered by President-elect Donald Trump for the position of Attorney General, filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order to block the report's release, but it was made public on Monday. He denies any wrongdoing.