Matt Gaetz, the Republican representative from Florida, has been under scrutiny for years, with various allegations surrounding his conduct. Recently, the spotlight has once again turned to him, with new revelations from a woman who attended a 2017 party where Gaetz is accused of having sex with a minor. This testimony has reignited interest in the ongoing investigation into Gaetz by the House Ethics Committee, which has been probing the lawmaker for several years over multiple serious claims.
Gaetz, who has long been a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, denies all allegations and insists that the investigation is part of a smear campaign against him. He has also pointed to a previous investigation by the Justice Department, which did not result in any criminal charges.
The Allegations Against Gaetz
Matt Gaetz, 42, represented Florida's 1st congressional district from 2017 until his resignation on Thursday. Known for his outspoken defense of Trump and his controversial public persona, Gaetz has frequently clashed with both Democrats and Republicans. Over the years, he has been investigated by the House Ethics Committee for various claims, including:
- Having sex with an underage girl
- Using illegal drugs
- Accepting bribes
- Misusing campaign funds
- Sharing inappropriate images on the House floor
Gaetz has repeatedly denied all of these accusations, dismissing them as attempts to destroy his reputation. He argues that the Justice Department's decision to close a three-year investigation into him without pressing charges proves his innocence.
The investigation into Gaetz gained further attention after his associate, Joel Greenberg, a former tax collector from Florida, pleaded guilty to several federal charges, including sex trafficking of minors. Greenberg cooperated with federal investigators and reportedly implicated Gaetz, claiming that Gaetz was involved in paying for sex with a 17-year-old girl. Although federal authorities investigated this claim, they were unable to verify it and did not charge Gaetz.
The House Ethics Committee Investigation
Now, a new allegation is at the center of the ongoing House Ethics investigation. A woman who claims to have attended a 2017 party with Gaetz has testified that she saw him having sex with a minor. She says she was a high school student at the time, and that there were witnesses to the encounter. Gaetz’s resignation from Congress on Thursday has complicated the situation, as it means he is no longer under the committee's jurisdiction, and the release of the investigation’s findings has been put on hold.
Despite the committee’s investigation, Gaetz has continued to denounce the claims against him as lies. He has argued that the allegations are politically motivated, particularly after he led a successful campaign to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year.
Impact on Gaetz’s Attorney General Nomination
The timing of Gaetz’s resignation has raised questions about his nomination to become the next U.S. Attorney General. Just hours after stepping down from Congress, Gaetz was nominated by Trump to head the Justice Department. The nomination has sparked shockwaves in Washington, with some questioning whether these allegations could derail his confirmation. While the House Ethics Committee has not yet released its findings, the pressure for transparency is growing.
In the aftermath of the resignation, members of Congress and legal experts have urged for the release of the ethics report, which reportedly contains testimony from at least four women who claim they were paid to attend parties where drugs and sex were involved, and where Gaetz was allegedly present. The committee is also said to have reviewed evidence, including Venmo transactions, linking Gaetz to payments made to some of these women.
Next Steps
The House Ethics Committee has delayed a vote on whether to release the report, with Chairman Michael Guest stating that the committee may choose to maintain confidentiality. However, growing public pressure — including calls for transparency from some Senate Republicans who will be tasked with confirming Gaetz’s nomination — suggests that the full details may eventually come to light, either through formal release or leaks.
As the investigation continues to unfold, many are asking whether the testimony and evidence against Gaetz could disqualify him from serving as the nation’s top law enforcement official. Critics argue that the American public deserves to know whether Gaetz is fit to lead the Justice Department, especially in light of the serious allegations against him.
The next few weeks will likely see further developments in this case, and the outcome of the House Ethics Committee’s investigation may have significant implications for Gaetz's future in politics, as well as his chances of becoming the Attorney General of the United States.