A committee from the U.S. House of Representatives claims that former Congressman Matt Gaetz, once nominated by then-President-elect Trump for U.S. Attorney General, paid a 17-year-old girl for sex during his term in office. Gaetz, who has denied the accusations, allegedly also paid other women for sex and purchased illegal drugs.
The 42-year-old withdrew his candidacy last month and is no longer serving in the House. A report details payments totaling over $90,000 for sex with twelve women and drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana between 2017 and 2020.
The committee cited substantial evidence, including testimony from the woman and others, indicating Gaetz had sex with the minor when she was still in high school. Gaetz attempted unsuccessfully to block the release of the committee’s findings, calling it a smear campaign.
The investigation began after a friend of Gaetz admitted in 2021 to paying women for sex, including with a minor, for which he received an eleven-year sentence.
Source: NOS