The House Ethics Committee found “substantial evidence” that former Rep. Matt Gaetz engaged in sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl in 2017 and regularly paid women for sex while in Congress. The committee’s investigation, which spanned years, also revealed Gaetz used illegal drugs, accepted excessive gifts, and obstructed Congress. Although they found evidence of Gaetz’s misconduct, they did not determine he violated federal sex-trafficking laws. Gaetz denied these allegations, claiming the report’s timing was politically motivated. Ultimately, the investigation disclosed extensive payments related to sexual activity and involved his associate, Joel Greenberg, convicted of sex trafficking.
