The House Ethics Committee recently made a covert decision to release an ethics report on former Representative Matt Gaetz. This move could soon bring to light the allegations against the Florida Republican, who was once President-elect Donald Trump’s initial pick for attorney general, according to a confidential source. CNN first broke the story of this vote.
The bipartisan committee, comprised of five Republicans and five Democrats, took this unexpected action earlier this month. The decision marks a shift in the committee’s usual secretive operations. It follows a split vote just last month, where lines were drawn along party affiliations to withhold the results of their nearly four-year probe into Gaetz’s conduct. The investigation covered serious allegations including sexual misconduct with minors and drug use during his tenure in Congress.
Despite Gaetz’s resignation and withdrawal as Trump’s Justice Department nominee, Democrats consistently called for the report’s disclosure. Their efforts, however, faced significant opposition. A recent vote on the House floor that aimed to compel the report’s release was unsuccessful; only one Republican supported it. In response to these developments, Gaetz has taken to social media to deny any wrongdoing and to criticize the committee’s actions, highlighting that as a former congressman, he can no longer defend himself within the legislative body. He expressed regret over past personal choices, stating, ‘It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now.’
The debate over releasing such reports post-resignation is rare within congressional history. Ethics reports have occasionally been made public after a member’s resignation, but this instance remains uncommon. Speaker Mike Johnson voiced concerns over setting a potential precedent by making the report public, arguing it could lead to undesirable consequences.
Meanwhile, Gaetz referred to the conclusion of a separate federal investigation that explored allegations of sex trafficking involving minors. Last year, this inquiry ended without charges against him. The investigation became notable following revelations about Joel Greenberg, a former Gaetz ally and tax collector in Seminole County, Florida. Greenberg’s plea deal in 2021 involved admissions of paying for sex with women and an underage girl, though the associated men went unnamed in court documents. Greenberg is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence for his actions.
As the House Ethics Committee proceeds with the release of its report, attention will focus on its findings and the implications for Matt Gaetz. The decision underscores the complexities of congressional ethics and the lasting effects of prior investigations. This development may further stir political discourse, particularly regarding the transparency and responsibilities of past congressional members.
Source: News4jax
