Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is trying to get ahead of the House Ethics Committee report by defending his “embarrassing” past behavior following reports that the panel voted to release its findings after a yearslong investigation of him.
“In my single days, I often sent funds to women I dated – even some I never dated but who asked. I dated several of these women for years. I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18. Any claim that I have would be destroyed in court – which is why no such claim was ever made in court,” Gaetz wrote in a post on X.
“My 30’s were an era of working very hard – and playing hard too,” he continued. “It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now.”
The House Ethics Committee began investigating Gaetz in 2021 for alleged sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, inappropriate relationships with underage girls, shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible gifts.
The committee secretly voted last week to release the report reversing their decision to block the release of their investigation’s findings last month, according to CNN.
In his post on X Gaetz emphasized that he was “FULLY EXONERATED” by a separate Department of Justice investigation into alleged sex trafficking and slammed the committee for continuing to investigate him despite the DOJ declining to charge him.
“Then, the very ‘witnesses’ DOJ deemed not-credible were assembled by House Ethics to repeat their claims absent any cross-examination or challenge from me or my attorneys,” Gaetz said. “I’ve had no chance to ever confront any accusers. I’ve never been charged. I’ve never been sued.”
“Instead, House Ethics will reportedly post a report online that I have no opportunity to debate or rebut as a former member of the body,” Gaetz said.
Gaetz was nominated by Donald Trump to serve as attorney general in his second administration, but he withdrew himself from consideration days before the Ethics Committee was set to vote on whether to release the report last month.
Gaetz later announced that he will not be rejoining Congress in January.
