Categories: Politics

Bombshell: Woman’s testimony claiming Matt Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17 revealed–nomination remains explosive

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.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.

Recent Posts

Mortgage Rates Dip, Remain High

Mortgage rates in the United States have been trending downwards recently, providing potential buyers with…

24 minutes ago

Souvenir Sellers Thrive Despite Costly Penny Production

In a recent move, President Donald Trump has indicated a desire to cease the production…

26 minutes ago

EU convenes emergency talks on defense, Ukraine, US stance

In Brussels, European Union leaders gathered for urgent discussions focused on strengthening their defense capabilities…

34 minutes ago

China Criticizes US Tariffs; Warns of Trade War Impacts

China remains steadfast amid pressures from heightened tariffs by the United States, according to the…

53 minutes ago

Nitrogen Executions Considered in Louisiana, Arkansas

In the wake of Alabama's groundbreaking execution using nitrogen gas last January, the state's attorney…

2 hours ago

Harden Scores 50, Nears Kobe’s Record, Obama in Attendance

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — James Harden delivered a spectacular performance by scoring 50 points on Wednesday…

6 hours ago