The allegations date back to Gaetz’s first congressional term from 2017 to 2018. During this period, he was accused of attending at least 10 parties involving drugs and sex, where witnesses allege inappropriate behavior, including sexual relations with a minor.
Ethics Investigation Resurfaces Allegations
Joel Leppard, a lawyer representing two women who testified before the Ethics Committee, revealed that one of his clients saw Gaetz engaging in sexual activity with a 17-year-old at a party. “The American people deserve to know the truth about the person slated to become the top law enforcement officer in the country,” Leppard said, urging the committee to release its findings.
Leppard added that his clients are reluctant to testify again, particularly in the Senate confirmation process. “My clients have already been through this several times and they really, really do not want to testify again—especially not on the floor of the Senate,” he stated.
CBS News has reported evidence, including financial transactions on the Venmo app, allegedly linking Gaetz to payments made to women attending these parties.
A History of Allegations
Gaetz has faced scrutiny for years. In 2020, the Justice Department investigated claims of child sex trafficking involving a 17-year-old girl, including allegations that Gaetz paid her to travel for sexual encounters. Joel Greenberg, a former associate of Gaetz and a central figure in the investigation, admitted to trafficking a minor and other crimes.Greenberg cooperated with federal prosecutors and provided information implicating others, including Gaetz. However, federal authorities closed the case without filing charges against Gaetz.Despite this, the Ethics Committee revived its investigation into claims of misconduct, including sharing explicit images on the House floor, accepting bribes, and engaging in illegal drug use.
Will it have an impact on Senate confirmation?
Gaetz has denied all allegations, calling them baseless attacks aimed at tarnishing his reputation. “This false smear following a three-year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism,” he said in response to the Ethics Committee’s ongoing probe. On X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “Lies were weaponized to try to destroy me.”
His resignation from Congress has complicated the Ethics Committee’s ability to act. House Speaker Mike Johnson argued against releasing the report, stating, “We don’t issue investigations and ethics reports on people who are not members of Congress. I think this would be a breach of protocol that could be dangerous for us going forward in the future.”
Pressure for Transparency
Despite Johnson’s stance, calls for the report’s release have intensified. Senate Republicans and advocacy groups have joined bipartisan demands for clarity before proceeding with Gaetz’s nomination. Michael Guest, Chairman of the Ethics Committee, postponed a scheduled vote on the report but has hinted at maintaining the confidentiality of its findings.
Leppard, however, has pressed for transparency, stating, “What if sworn testimony detailed conduct that would disqualify anyone from serving as our nation’s chief law enforcement officer? Democracy demands transparency. Release the Gaetz Ethics report.”
Implications for Confirmation
The mounting allegations have cast a shadow over Gaetz’s confirmation process. While supporters point to the Justice Department’s decision not to file charges as a vindication, critics argue the unresolved ethics report undermines his credibility.
With the Ethics Committee set to meet again, the decision to release its findings could significantly influence Gaetz’s nomination. Meanwhile, public and political pressure continues to build, threatening to derail his path to becoming the nation’s top law enforcement officer.
As the Senate prepares to vet Gaetz, the allegations and their potential impact on his nomination highlight broader concerns about transparency and accountability for those in public office.
