House Ethics Committee Approves Release of Matt Gaetz Report

The US House Ethics Committee has voted to make public its report concerning former Republican Representative Matt Gaetz, according to two sources familiar with the situation who spoke to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner. This report is the outcome of an investigation spanning several years into claims of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use. Its release is anticipated within the coming days. House Republicans had previously obstructed Democratic attempts to reveal the findings of the inquiry into the former Florida representative. However, during a vote held on 5 December, two Republicans cast their votes in favor of releasing the report, CBS reported. Gaetz, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stated on Wednesday: “I was charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED. Not even a campaign finance violation. And the people investigating me hated me.” He further added: “Instead, House Ethics will reportedly post a report online that I have no opportunity to debate or rebut as a former member of the body.” Gaetz stepped down from his congressional position last month after President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate him to lead the US Department of Justice. Nevertheless, he withdrew his name from consideration for the role just one week later, following opposition from both Democrats and Republicans and discussions regarding whether to release the committee’s report. Gaetz commented at the time that he aimed to prevent a “needlessly protracted Washington scuffle.” The 42-year-old has since declared that he will not return to Congress for the upcoming term, opting instead to launch a new program on the Trump-aligned One America News Network in January. The ethics committee declined to comment on the news of its vote to release the report, a development first reported by CNN. The committee had previously indicated that Gaetz was the subject of an investigation concerning sexual misconduct, illegal drug use, and bribery. A woman who attended a party with him in 2017 provided testimony to the House committee, stating that she witnessed the then-congressman engaging in sexual activity with a minor, as stated by the woman’s legal representative. The same lawyer also claimed that Gaetz compensated this witness and another woman for sexual encounters. Via the same X post on Wednesday, Gaetz wrote: “It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanised, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now.” He has consistently refuted any culpability and has characterized the inquiry against him as a “smear campaign.” The Department of Justice – which President-elect Trump had initially designated Gaetz to head – also conducted its own investigation into a claim that he had sex with a minor but ultimately concluded without bringing any criminal charges against him. Joel Greenberg, a former associate of Gaetz, was the sole individual indicted in the justice department’s sex trafficking investigation. He collaborated with federal investigators and is reported to have provided prosecutors with details concerning several other individuals, including Gaetz. Greenberg is presently incarcerated with an 11-year sentence after agreeing to plead guilty to a range of federal offenses, such as underage sex trafficking, wire fraud, stalking, identity theft, producing a fake ID card, and conspiring to defraud the US government.