The House Ethics Committee has announced plans to make its report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) public this week, according to a source familiar with the situation. This decision marks a turnaround for the committee, which previously opted not to disclose the findings of its investigation last month.
The report is set to be released after the House completes its final vote of the year. While the chamber is scheduled to begin its holiday recess on Thursday, it may stay in session to discuss a government funding bill. Gaetz responded to news about the committee’s decision by asserting his innocence and criticizing the panel’s actions, labeling some of his past behavior as “embarrassing, though not criminal.”
Gaetz calls for accountability as Ethics Committee’s report looms large over his political future
The Ethics Committee did not provide any comments when approached for a response. The report’s impending release, first reported by CNN, concludes a lengthy investigation lasting approximately three and a half years, which examined allegations against Gaetz, including sexual misconduct, drug use, and other serious accusations.
He was also investigated for potentially accepting improper gifts, granting favors to personal connections, and attempting to obstruct inquiries into his conduct. Gaetz has continually denied any wrongdoing. The investigation drew heightened attention when Gaetz was nominated by President-elect Trump for the attorney general position, leading to his abrupt resignation from Congress.
He later withdrew his nomination and announced he would not return to office in January, sparking discussions about whether the committee should publish its findings. Following Gaetz’s resignation, the Ethics Committee’s inquiry came to a halt, as it lacks the authority to investigate former members of Congress.
The decision to release the report stands contrary to the opinions of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and several Republicans, who had pushed against making the findings public. Earlier in the month, House Democrats attempted to force votes on resolutions aimed at compelling the Ethics Committee to release its reports concerning Gaetz, but these efforts resulted in a GOP-led vote that sent the issue back to the committee.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) previously investigated Gaetz over allegations involving a sexual encounter with a 17-year-old but finally chose not to pursue any charges. On Wednesday, Gaetz pointed to this conclusion, declaring himself “FULLY EXONERATED.”
He stated, “The Biden/Garland DOJ spent years examining claims that I committed various crimes, but I faced no charges: FULLY EXONERATED. Not even for a campaign finance violation. The investigators had a bias against me.
The very ‘witnesses’ that the DOJ found unreliable were then brought in by the House Ethics Committee to repeat their allegations without any opportunity for me or my lawyers to challenge them. I’ve never had the chance to confront my accusers, nor have I been charged or sued.”
