The House Ethics Committee has voted to release a long-anticipated report on former Representative Matt Gaetz, raising the prospect that allegations of misconduct against the Florida Republican could soon become public. Gaetz, a prominent supporter of Donald Trump and briefly considered for attorney general, left Congress under a cloud of controversy. The bipartisan vote, reportedly taken earlier this month, was first revealed by CNN, though official details remain undisclosed.
The decision follows years of investigation into allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct with minors and used illegal drugs during his tenure. Despite Gaetz’s resignation, Democrats pushed for the findings to be released, arguing the public deserved transparency. However, a House vote to force the release failed, with nearly all Republicans opposing it. Speaker Mike Johnson expressed concerns about setting a dangerous precedent by publishing reports on former members, a stance echoed by many of Gaetz’s allies.
Matt Gaetz
Gaetz took to social media to denounce the Ethics Committee’s actions, characterizing the move as unjust since he is no longer a sitting member of Congress and cannot formally defend himself. While denying any wrongdoing, he acknowledged having led a lifestyle marked by excessive partying, drinking, and womanizing in his younger years. Gaetz emphasized that his behavior has since changed and insisted the committee’s focus on him after his departure was inappropriate and politically motivated.
The ethics report’s release comes after the Department of Justice closed its separate investigation into Gaetz last year without filing charges. That inquiry revolved around allegations of sex trafficking involving underage girls. A key figure in the case, Joel Greenberg—a former Florida tax collector and onetime ally of Gaetz—pleaded guilty in 2021 to paying women and a minor for sex. While Greenberg’s plea implicated other individuals, their identities were not disclosed in court, leaving questions about the broader scope of wrongdoing.
If made public, the report would represent a rare instance of an ethics investigation being disclosed after a lawmaker’s resignation. This unusual step signals the gravity of the allegations and the political pressures surrounding them. The decision to release the findings, despite objections from prominent Republicans, highlights ongoing tensions in Congress over transparency, accountability, and the limits of ethical oversight for former members.
