Ethics Report Exposes Ex-Congressman Gaetz’s Allegations of Drug Use and Sexual Misconduct

The House of Representatives ethics committee has released a report detailing allegations of excessive spending on sex and drugs by former Congressman Matt Gaetz, coupled with evidence of improper gifts and uncooperativeness during the investigation. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing and described the report’s release as a smear campaign.

Former Congressman Matt Gaetz is at the center of a bombshell report from the House ethics committee, detailing a series of serious allegations concerning his conduct while in office. The exhaustive investigation found that Gaetz, who served Florida's first congressional district until his resignation last month, paid "tens of thousands of dollars" for sex and drugs between 2017 and 2020. The findings have reignited debates surrounding his behavior and ethics.

The report outlines payments exceeding $90,000 to twelve women, indicating that these transactions were likely associated with sexual encounters and drug use. One alarming allegation includes Gaetz reportedly paying $400 to a 17-year-old girl for sex at a party in 2017. While Gaetz has consistently denied engaging in sexual activities with minors, the Department of Justice previously paid close attention to these accusations but did not file charges.

The committee’s extensive 42-page report asserts there is substantial evidence against Gaetz regarding violations of House rules. It states he engaged in activities that contravene standards of conduct including prostitution and illicit drug use, and also took gifts beyond permissible limits during a 2018 trip to the Bahamas.

Despite these grave accusations, Gaetz claims he is a victim of a politically motivated smear campaign. In an effort to forestall the report’s release, he sought a temporary restraining order against the ethics committee’s findings, alleging they overstepped their jurisdiction over him as a private citizen after his resignation.

As part of the committee’s investigation, Gaetz was criticized for being "uncooperative," often misleading or trying to deflect attention from the panel’s inquiries. Notably, he declined multiple requests to testify before the committee despite being subpoenaed.

The ethics committee's decision to release the report, despite Gaetz's withdrawal from public office, was a rare move. Some committee members argued that disclosure was in the public interest given the nature of the allegations. The report's findings have led to sharp reactions from both sides of the political aisle, with House Democrats condemning Gaetz's behavior and highlighting the need for better vetting in Trump’s nominations.

In the wake of these revelations, Trump has not made any public comments regarding the findings, leaving many to speculate about the broader implications of Gaetz’s tumultuous political career.