A woman has reportedly testified to the House Ethics Committee, alleging that former Congressman Matt Gaetz had sex with her when she was just 17 years old.
The Florida Republican, who had been under investigation for alleged drug use and sexual misconduct, resigned from Congress on Wednesday following his controversial nomination by Donald Trump for Attorney General—a move that has drawn fierce criticism from both parties.
Gaetz Resignation Halts Ethics Investigation
Gaetz’s sudden resignation leaves the House Ethics Committee without jurisdiction to pursue its yearslong probe into the allegations. The committee had subpoenaed the woman at the center of the investigation earlier this year, with sources confirming that she provided multiple days of testimony detailing an alleged sexual encounter with Gaetz while she was a high school student.
The woman reportedly claimed she met Gaetz through his associate Joel Greenberg on a website where she misrepresented her age. Greenberg, a former Seminole County tax collector, was sentenced in 2022 to 11 years in prison for sex trafficking a minor.
Gaetz, however, has strongly denied the allegations, calling them “invented” and accusing his accuser of providing false testimony. “This false smear following a three-year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism,” Gaetz said in a statement.
Venmo Payments Under Scrutiny
The Ethics Committee’s investigation also reportedly included Venmo payments Gaetz made to women, which investigators examined for potential links to paid sexual encounters. According to sources, several women testified about attending parties with Gaetz and Greenberg, but the former congressman has dismissed these claims, saying his financial transactions were acts of “generosity” toward ex-girlfriends.
Fallout from Trump’s Nomination
Trump’s decision to nominate Gaetz as the nation’s top law enforcement official has sent shockwaves through Washington. If confirmed, Gaetz would oversee key agencies like the Department of Justice, FBI, and DEA. Republican senators, including Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, are now calling for a thorough vetting process before the Senate votes on Gaetz’s confirmation.
“We need to have complete vetting of the nominees, not only so we know they’re qualified but also to protect the president,” Cornyn said, adding that the Senate may consider legal action to access the Ethics Committee’s unreleased report.
However, Sen. Lindsey Graham expressed skepticism about the Senate’s ability to subpoena the report, cautioning against setting a precedent that could allow the House to demand unreleased Senate documents.
Ethics Report May Remain Sealed
Rep. Michael Guest, chairman of the House Ethics Committee, indicated that the report on Gaetz’s conduct might never be released, leaving the investigation’s findings shrouded in secrecy.
This latest twist in Gaetz’s political career has fueled controversy, with critics questioning his fitness for public office and allies defending him against what they call unfounded attacks. The nomination battle is expected to further polarize the political landscape as Trump’s Cabinet picks continue to face intense scrutiny.
