The House Ethics Committee announced it is expanding its investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz, citing “additional allegations” beyond the initial claims of sexual misconduct and drug use. These new allegations focus on accusations that Gaetz provided special privileges to individuals with whom he had personal relationships and attempted to obstruct investigations into his conduct.
Despite facing challenges in obtaining information, the committee stated it had found sufficient grounds to continue reviewing certain claims.
The probe into Gaetz began in April 2021, coinciding with a federal investigation into allegations of sex trafficking involving Gaetz and Joel Greenberg, although Gaetz was not charged in that case. The Ethics Committee conducted interviews with over a dozen witnesses and examined extensive documentation, leading to the discovery of further allegations deemed worthy of investigation.
House Ethics Committee Deepens Investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz: New Allegations Emerge
In a rare move, the committee announced it would suspend investigations into four separate allegations against Gaetz, including sharing inappropriate content on the House floor and misusing campaign funds. Gaetz had criticized the committee for what he described as unnecessary investigations intended to discredit him, alleging political motives behind the scrutiny.
Gaetz attributed the expanded investigation to former Rep. Kevin McCarthy, suggesting it was a retaliatory act following Gaetz’s involvement in McCarthy’s removal from House leadership. Gaetz characterized the ongoing scrutiny as unjust and compared it to tactics used in authoritarian regimes.
The outcome of the ethics probe is significant as Republicans hold a slim majority in the House of Representatives, with only five more seats than the Democrats. This context underscores the potential impact of the investigation on Gaetz’s political future and its broader implications for House dynamics.
