A report by the House Ethics Committee has uncovered substantial evidence that former Rep. Matt Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars for sex and drugs over at least 20 separate occasions, including payments to a 17-year-old girl for sex in 2017. The findings are outlined in a final draft obtained by CNN, implicating the Florida Republican in violations of both Florida state laws and House rules.
The committee’s report alleges that Gaetz engaged in prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, and other misconduct during his time in Congress. The report also cites evidence of payments to over a dozen women, often facilitated through PayPal or Venmo, and outlines a 2018 trip to the Bahamas where Gaetz allegedly participated in sexual activities and drug use.
Payments and Allegations Involving a Minor
The investigation revealed that Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old girl at a 2017 party, where she received $400 as payment. While the report notes that the girl did not disclose her age to Gaetz, and he did not inquire, it concludes that this incident violated Florida’s statutory rape laws.
The woman also testified that she was under the influence of ecstasy during the encounter and recalled seeing Gaetz use cocaine at the same party.
Bahamas Trip and Further Misconduct
The report detailed a 2018 trip to the Bahamas where Gaetz allegedly accepted gifts of transportation and lodging that violated House rules. During this trip, Gaetz reportedly engaged in sexual activities with multiple women, one of whom described the trip itself as a form of payment. Witnesses also claimed that Gaetz used ecstasy during the trip.
Organized Payments for Sex
The committee found that Gaetz frequently coordinated with Joel Greenberg, a former Seminole County tax collector now serving an 11-year prison sentence, to arrange sexual encounters through the sugar dating website SeekingArrangement.com. Payments to women were made using platforms such as PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp.
One woman interviewed stated that "99 percent of the time" she and Gaetz spent together involved sex. Another revealed that Gaetz’s then-girlfriend acted as an intermediary in arranging these encounters.
Drug Use Allegations
The report also uncovered evidence that Gaetz used cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana on multiple occasions between 2017 and 2019. Witnesses reported seeing Gaetz using these substances at parties and other events, and investigators alleged he maintained a pseudonymous email account for purchasing marijuana.
Gaetz’s Defense and Denials
Gaetz has denied the allegations, including having sex with a minor, and has pointed to the Justice Department’s decision not to press charges against him in 2023. In a statement, Gaetz admitted to partying and “womanizing” in the past but insisted his actions were not criminal.
The committee noted, however, that Gaetz refused to answer most of its questions and accused the panel of being politically motivated.
Release of the Report and Aftermath
Although Gaetz resigned from Congress last month, the committee made the rare decision to release its findings, citing the severity of the allegations. Some lawmakers believe Gaetz’s resignation was an attempt to avoid accountability.
Gaetz is now set to join the conservative One America News Network as an anchor in January. The release of this report could have long-lasting political and legal repercussions for the former congressman.
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