By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-23 12:44:45 | Updated at 2024-12-23 17:43:53
5 hours ago
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz was found to have used illegal drugs like cocaine and ecstasy while paying for sex with multiple women — including a 17-year-old high school junior he had sex with in front of other people, according to a damning draft of the House Ethics Committee report.
The 37-page investigation conclusion alleged that Gaetz refused to comply with a subpoena demanding an interview and “intentionally withheld information,” according to a copy obtained by Just the News.
Still, “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,” it concluded.
“From 2017 to 2020, Representative Gaetz made tens of thousands of dollars in payments to women that the Committee determined were likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use,” it alleged.
Gaetz, 42, resigned from Congress on Nov. 13 — hours after President-elect Donald Trump tapped him to be the next US attorney general — but sex misconduct allegations and alleged drug-fueled parties from the congressional ethics probe and an earlier Justice Department investigation eventually led to him withdrawing from the confirmation fight.
The committee said that it received testimony indicating that at a party in 2017, Gaetz engaged in sexual acts with “Victim A,” who was just 17 years old and had recently completed her junior year in high school.
Gaetz had sex twice during the party, including at least once in the presence of other party attendees,” the draft report alleged.
“Victim A recalled receiving $400 in cash from Representative Gaetz that evening, which she understood to be payment for sex,” the committee wrote.
“Victim A said that she did not inform Representative Gaetz that she was under 18 at the time, nor did he ask her age,” the report said — stressing that the girl not telling him her age does not matter under Florida law.
However, the investigation did not think Gaetz violated sex trafficking laws.
Gaetz confirmed to Just the News late Sunday that the draft matched details he was told would be in it.
He denied the allegations, saying any payments were gifts to girlfriends and again noting that no charges had ever been brought.
He maintained that allegations he “may have engaged in sexual misconduct including violations of federal laws relating to sex trafficking and state laws relating to prostitution and statutory rape,” were “false” and that “[t]hese allegations were investigated by the Department of Justice and the investigation was completely dropped.”
He also denied using illicit drugs and having sex with a minor.
Among the report’s most shocking findings were allegations of drug- and sex-fueled parties, including a 2018 trip to the Bahamas where witnesses claimed he used ecstasy and had sexual encounters with four women.
The report indicated that the women who testified about their sexual encounters with Gaetz said it was consensual.
However, one noted that drug use at the parties might have “impair[ed their] ability to really know what was going on or fully consent,” while another said, “When I look back on certain moments, I feel violated.”
The report also found “substantial evidence” of Gaetz’s illicit drug use.
The committee reportedly obtained text messages he sent referring to drugs as “party favors,” “rolls” or “vitamins.”
The investigation also found Gaetz created a fake email from his Capitol Hill office “for the purpose of purchasing marijuana.”
