According to multiple sources that talked with ABC News and Daily Beast, the Ethics Committee is investigating Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican, following allegations of sex trafficking and lobbying violations.
“New witnesses”
ABC News reported that the Ethics Committee spoke to Joel Greenberg, who was once Gaetz’s close friend. Greenberg is jailed for 11 years following a guilty plea on federal charges. The outlet also alleged there are “new witnesses,” including a woman who had an alleged intimate relationship with the lawmaker while she was a minor.
Allegations of “lobbying violations”
Sources close to ABC News also alleged there are possible “lobbying violations,” so the Ethics Committee is looking into talking to witnesses whom the DOJ previously interviewed during the trafficking probe. The first investigation was started by House Democrats in 2021, and it was concluded that the DOJ did not recommend charges.
More sources confirmed the allegations
The Daily Beast reported that their sources said the Committee is “zeroing in” on trafficking, alleging, “They’re specifically looking at sex trafficking, as well as drugs and payments.”
Gaetz denied the allegations
The Florida lawyer, who enjoys great popularity among MAGA voters, told CNN, “Those allegations were not true, have never been true, and the people who spread those lies have been exposed, indicted, and imprisoned.” He told reporters at the Capitol,” I wish them luck,” when asked whether the Ethics Committee was investigating him.
Gaetz’s statement to ABC News
Gaetz said in a statement to ABC News, “It’s great to see the Ethics Committee has interests beyond trading stocks. They seem to be quite the unusual whales.” Read the full report on ABC.
Gaetz drew attention during Santos’ expulsion
The Florida attorney said on the House floor, “I rise not to defend George Santos, whoever he is, but to defend the very precedent my colleagues are willing to shatter.” He continued, “The fact the Ethics Committee has done this incredible violation of precedent will do grave damage to this institution for many years to come because now there’s no requirement of any conviction.”
Why Greenberg matters
The former Florida tax collector received 11 years for several charges, including wire fraud and sex trafficking a minor. Greenberg’s plea deal from 2021 included “substantial assistance” in investigating Gaetz and others. Judge Persnell, who preceded the case, said, “I have never seen a defendant who has committed so many different types of crimes in such a short period.”
Gaetz’s comments from July 2023
The Florida lawmaker stated in July, “I think all the days in Congress, there are probably in the seven years I’ve been in Congress, there have only been tens of days when I haven’t been under one form of ethics investigation or another.” He added, “I believe that the House Ethics Committee is trying to weaponize their process against me because every once in a while up here, I’m a rabble-rouser, and I don’t go along to get along.”
Gaetz was heckled during a rally
Gaetz took questions from the audience during a visit to New Hampshire ahead of the primaries. One person asked, “What’s the youngest schoolgirl you’ve been with?” The heckler revealed himself on X and posted the video of the exchange with the caption, “Matt Gaetz asked for the audience to ask tough questions… he then proceeded to call on me. I said what I said… but not only could Gaetz not answer, he had me removed.”
The heckler had more to say
The person, now known as Rod Webber, had another comment aimed at Gaetz and allegations against him, “For your birthday, I bought you a bag full of underage girls.”
The initial investigation
NBC News sources said that during the initial probe, Gaetz was investigated over alleged trafficking of a 17-year-old and taking her across the state border, which would be an alleged violation of the Mann Act, as well as obstruction of justice.
Veil of secrecy
Considering there are no official statements from the Committee or DOJ, there are several possible scenarios, including Gaetz’s expulsion. However, until further notice, Gaetz is an innocent man.
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