House Ethics Committee Report Accuses Matt Gaetz of Serious Misconduct, Possible Criminal Acts

The House Ethics Committee has released a 42-page report accusing former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., of engaging in conduct that violates House rules and could constitute criminal offenses under state law. The findings, unveiled Monday after a lengthy investigation, include allegations of statutory rape, prostitution, illicit drug use, obstruction of Congress, and misuse of his office.

“The Committee determined there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” the report states.

Gaetz, who vacated his seat last month, days before the report's expected release, has denied wrongdoing. In a series of posts Monday on X, formerly Twitter, Gaetz rejected claims of paying for sex. However, the committee noted that Gaetz refused to cooperate with its investigation, delaying or ignoring requests for relevant information.

The report documents evidence of Gaetz engaging in sexual activity with women who were paid significant sums of money between 2017 and 2020. Investigators tracked over $90,000 in payments to 12 women, concluding these transactions were most likely linked to sexual activity or drug use. Witnesses testified about attending events and parties with Gaetz, where drug use was reported, and nearly all women interviewed confirmed being paid for sex.

One witness testified about a 2017 encounter where Gaetz allegedly had sex with her when she was 17 and paid her $400. The woman stated she was under the influence of ecstasy and did not inform Gaetz of her age. The committee found no evidence suggesting Gaetz knowingly had sex with a minor. While the committee did not find substantial evidence of federal sex trafficking violations, the allegations may violate state laws.

The report also details a 2018 trip to the Bahamas, where Gaetz allegedly violated House gift rules. Witnesses testified that the trip involved sexual activity with multiple women and drug use. The committee accused Gaetz of using his office to benefit a woman he was in a sexual relationship with, including assisting her in obtaining an expedited passport.

In addition to these allegations, the committee found evidence suggesting Gaetz used a pseudonymous email account from his House office to purchase marijuana and engaged in conduct that obstructed the investigation.

Gaetz attempted to block the report’s release, seeking a restraining order against the committee and its chair. His lawyers argued that releasing the report after his resignation was unprecedented and violated procedural norms. Despite his denials of wrongdoing and claims that a separate Justice Department investigation cleared him of federal charges, the Ethics Committee outlined extensive evidence of misconduct.

Committee Chair Michael Guest, R-Miss., acknowledged the findings but expressed reservations about the report’s publication post-resignation, calling it a departure from precedent with potentially harmful consequences. Democratic committee member Rep. Glenn Ivey of Maryland defended the release, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.

Gaetz has repeatedly denied having sex with minors or paying for sex, describing his past behavior as embarrassing but not criminal. “I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18,” he wrote in a post on X last week.