Allegations of Prostitution, Statutory Rape, and Obstruction of Justice Unveiled in New Ethics Report
The U.S. House Ethics Committee has released a bombshell report accusing former Representative Matt Gaetz of a series of serious crimes committed during his time in office, including the payment for sex with a minor and the consumption of illicit drugs. The report alleges “substantial evidence” of misconduct, drawing attention to possible violations of several state laws, including statutory rape and the use of prohibited substances.
The allegations are based on years of investigation and a series of financial transactions, including Venmo and PayPal receipts, tying Gaetz to sexual activities and drug purchases. The committee found that more than $90,000 could be associated with Gaetz’s alleged actions, though cash transactions remain difficult to trace.
Allegations of Sexual Misconduct and Drug Use
The ethics report provides a detailed breakdown of Gaetz’s alleged activities, with the most troubling claims focusing on sexual misconduct and illicit drug use while serving in Congress. According to the report, Gaetz violated multiple House Rules, including prohibitions against prostitution, statutory rape, and illicit drug use. It also details accusations of impermissible gifts, special privileges, and obstruction of justice.
In one of the most alarming allegations, the report claims that Gaetz paid a 17-year-old girl, referred to as “Victim A,” for sex at a party in Florida back in 2017. Victim A reportedly received $400 in cash from Gaetz that evening, which she understood as payment for sex. The committee claims that Gaetz did not ask about her age, nor did Victim A disclose that she was under 18 at the time.
The Role of Joel Greenberg in the Scandal
The allegations surrounding Gaetz are further complicated by the involvement of his close associate, Joel Greenberg. Greenberg, the former Seminole County tax collector, has already pleaded guilty to sex trafficking the same minor, Victim A, in 2021. The committee suggests that Gaetz’s activities were connected to Greenberg’s sex trafficking operation. The two men were reportedly close friends, and the report states that there is overwhelming evidence Gaetz had sex with multiple women at a party in Florida, including the minor in question.
While the committee was able to identify a number of women who received payments from Gaetz, it was unable to speak to all of them. Some women reportedly feared retaliation, while others were unwilling to discuss their interactions with the former congressman. These unresolved issues have added complexity to the investigation and clouded the overall picture.
Gaetz’s Denial and Legal Battles
Matt Gaetz has consistently denied the allegations against him, even publicly stating that the accusations are baseless and politically motivated. He has also denied having any sexual contact with Victim A, a claim he insists would be disproven in court. Gaetz filed for a restraining order against the Ethics Committee, arguing that the release of the report would irreparably damage his reputation and cause harm to his due process rights.
Gaetz’s public statements about his past also cast a different light on the situation. In response to the leaked report, Gaetz admitted to partying and engaging in reckless behavior earlier in life but vehemently rejected the criminal allegations. He wrote on social media that he had often sent money to women he had dated, including those he never had sexual relations with, but maintained that he had never engaged in sex with anyone under 18.
A Growing Legal and Political Storm
The report’s release has intensified the political and legal pressure on Gaetz. As a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump, Gaetz has long been a controversial figure in Washington, D.C. His political future now hangs in the balance as these serious accusations unfold.
In addition to the ethics report, Gaetz faces ongoing federal investigations into his conduct, including the allegations of sex trafficking and drug use. While the Ethics Committee’s findings do not carry legal weight, they provide additional ammunition for those who seek to hold Gaetz accountable for his actions while in office. Legal experts have suggested that the criminal investigations may soon escalate, depending on how the situation develops.
Despite his denials, the growing pile of evidence and the testimony of those involved may make it increasingly difficult for Gaetz to maintain his political career. The scrutiny on his actions is far from over, and this latest report only marks a new chapter in the ongoing scandal that has plagued the former congressman’s career.
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