The House of Representatives Ethics Committee has voted to release its report on the conduct of former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, in a stunning reversal.
CNN and reported Vos Moving Wednesday, with the report expected to be made public after the House of Representatives’ final day of voting this week as Congress heads into the holidays and concludes this session.
The same committee had voted along party lines last month to keep the report secret after the president-elect tapped Gaetz, a key ally of the MAGA Congress, to serve as attorney general.
Gaetz withdrew from the trial after it was determined his bid would not pass the Senate, with Trump replacing him with former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The Florida congressman resigned from Congress in mid-November after being appointed Trump’s attorney general and later said he would not retake the Florida congressional seat he won in the Nov. 5 general election.
It’s rare for an Ethics Commission report to be released after a member resigns from Congress, and the decision to release it means some Republicans have changed their vote and sided with Democrats on the public making the findings.
The Ethics Commission’s investigation included a years-long investigation into allegations against Gaetz, including sexual misconduct, whether the Florida Republican used illegal drugs and whether he shared “inappropriate images or videos in the House of Representatives.”
It was also investigated whether he “misappropriated identity information, used campaign funds for personal use and/or accepted bribes, improper tips or impermissible gifts,” according to a description of the investigation released last summer.
The House of Representatives Ethics Committee has voted to release its report on the conduct of former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, in a stunning reversal
The former congressman and his wife Ginger Luckey Gaetz. The report looked into allegations of sexual misconduct against the Florida congressman and whether he used illegal drugs
House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he opposes the report’s release as Gaetz has already resigned from Congress — but he cannot prevent the report’s release.
Some members of Congress have stated that they believe Gaetz quit to bury the report.
In a long-winded X-post, Gaetz stated that his name had already been cleared by the Department of Justice.
He admitted his behavior was “embarrassing” but not “criminal.”
“The Biden/Garland DOJ has spent years reviewing allegations that I committed various crimes. I was not charged with anything: FULLY EXEMPTED. Not even a campaign finance violation. And the people who investigated me hated me,” he wrote on X on Wednesday following news reports that the ethics report would be released.
Gaetz charged that “the same ‘witnesses’ that DOJ deemed not credible” were used by the House Ethics Committee to smear him.
“I have not had a chance to ever confront any accusers,” he wrote. ‘I have never been charged. I have never been charged.”
“Instead, House Ethics will reportedly post online a report that I, as a former member of the committee, have no opportunity to debate or refute,” the former Florida congressman complained.
Gaetz acknowledged sending money to women he dated.
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz responded to news reports that the House Ethics Committee report would be released in the coming days by saying his behavior was “shameful, but not criminal.”
Last month it was reported that he paid more than $10,000 to two women who were later witnesses in the sexual misconduct investigations conducted by the DOJ and the House Ethics Committee.
“In my single days, I often sent money to women I dated – even some I never dated but who asked for it. “I dated several of these women for years,” he wrote. “I have NEVER had sexual contact with anyone under the age of 18,” he also said.
“Any claim I have would be destroyed in court – which is why no such claim has ever been brought in court,” Gaetz added.
Gaetz, 42, who married his wife Ginger Luckey Gaetz in 2021, suggested he was just an irresponsible bachelor.
“My thirties were an era of very hard work – and also playing hard,” he said.
“It’s embarrassing, but not criminal, that I’ve probably partied, womanized, drank, and smoked more than I should have earlier in my life,” Gaetz continued. ‘I live a different life now.’
“But at least I didn’t vote for CRs that are fucking all over the country!” he added.
The CR – or Continuing Resolution – is the short-term spending bill that Congress must pass before Saturday to avoid a government shutdown.