In a significant development, two women have testified before the House Ethics Committee, alleging that they were paid for sexual favors by former Representative Matt Gaetz. These allegations add to the complex and ongoing investigation surrounding Gaetz, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
One of the women, represented by attorney Joel Leppard, claimed she witnessed Gaetz engage in sexual relations with her then-underage friend in 2017. This testimony, detailed in an interview with CNN, highlights the numerous accusations that have emerged during the ethics probe. While Gaetz has denied the allegations, Leppard asserted that Gaetz may not have known the girl’s age at the time.
The ethics investigation into Gaetz appears to have concluded following his immediate resignation from Congress after being nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Justice. Although the probe is effectively over, discussions continue on whether to release a public report on its findings, with a meeting scheduled to address this issue.
Central to the investigation is the testimony of the then-underage woman, who corroborated claims of having sexual relations with Gaetz at 17. Leppard’s client stated that payments for sexual acts were made through platforms like Venmo or PayPal, spanning from July 2017 to early 2019. These payments reportedly occurred at various locations, including Airbnbs, private residences, and political events.
Gaetz maintained his innocence, with a spokesperson emphasizing that the Department of Justice had cleared him of charges. The Justice Department’s previous criminal investigation did not yield charges, allegedly due to the perceived lack of credibility of key witnesses. However, sources connected to the investigation have challenged the notion of insufficient credibility.
The House Ethics Committee has been scrutinizing allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, and received improper gifts, among other accusations. Despite the Justice Department’s decision, there is a push from some lawmakers, including Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, to release the committee’s report and related materials.
Leppard emphasized the importance of releasing the report, highlighting its significance in validating the testimonies provided. “They want the truth to be known,” he stated, underscoring his clients’ desire for transparency in the ongoing investigation.
As the House Ethics Committee weighs its next steps, the testimonies and allegations against Matt Gaetz continue to garner public attention. The release of the committee’s report could shed further light on the serious claims brought against the former congressman, ensuring that the investigation’s findings are transparent and comprehensive.
Source: Cnn
