The House Ethics Committee has expanded its ongoing investigation into U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), releasing a rare statement revealing it is now investigating the Florida Republican congressman for allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, accepting improper gifts, dispensing special privileges and favors to individuals, and obstruction.
The statement detailed the direction of its probe while announcing it has issued dozens of subpoenas and spoke with numerous individuals. It also announced certain allegations will not continue to be investigated.
The bipartisan Committee adds that "at this time" it "will take no further action" on allegations Gaetz "may have shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe or improper gratuity."
No reasons were given for expanding the probe nor for appearing to step back from pursuing certain aspects.
Under Trump Attorney General Bill Barr, Gaetz, a top Trump follower, had been under federal investigation for alleged sex trafficking of a minor and alleged illicit drug use.
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"Investigators are examining whether Mr. Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws," The New York Times had reported in 2021, citing unnamed sources. "A variety of federal statutes make it illegal to induce someone under 18 to travel over state lines to engage in sex in exchange for money or something of value. The Justice Department regularly prosecutes such cases, and offenders often receive severe sentences."
The House Ethics Committee had also opened an investigation in 2021, but on Tuesday noted it had paused that probe at the request of the Dept. of Justice, but "reauthorized" its investigation after DOJ withdrew its request.
"On April 9, 2021, the Committee announced it had initiated a review into allegations that Representative Matt Gaetz may have engaged in sexual misconduct and/or illicit drug use, 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 gift, in violation of House Rules, laws, or other standards of conduct," the Ethics Committee said in Tuesday's statement.
Punchbowl News co-founder John Bresnahan characterized the Committee's statement as "very unusual," and adds it "[s]ays Gaetz hasn’t cooperated with the investigation."
Despite "difficulty in obtaining relevant information from Representative Gaetz and others," the Ethics Committee revealed it "has spoken with more than a dozen witnesses, issued 25 subpoenas, and reviewed thousands of pages of documents in this matter."
The Committee notes that Gaetz maintains his innocence. It often indicates an expected date for resolution, updates, or further announcements but did not on Tuesday.
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HuffPost's Jennifer Bendery called it "an unusual public statement."
"Apparently aware the ethics committee would be making a statement about its investigation, Gaetz claimed on social media on Monday afternoon that he’s been the subject of four committee probes and all were closed," HuffPost reported Tuesday.
On Monday Gaetz targeted former GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
“'This is Soviet,' Gaetz said of the latest ethics investigation," HuffPost noted. “'Kevin McCarthy showed them the man, and they are now trying to find the crime.' "
In April, McCarthy declared he was no longer Speaker "because one person, a member of Congress, wanted me to stop an ethics complaint, because he slept with a 17-year old."
While McCarthy did not name Gaetz, the Florida congressman has denied that allegation and never been charged for it.
Also on Tuesday Noah Bookbinder, president of the government watchdog Citizens for Ethics and Responsibility in Washington (CREW), announced thew organization is suing DOJ for "documents explaining why the Justice Dept. chose not to prosecute" Gaetz.
Watch McCarthy below or at this link.
Kevin McCarthy still not handling things well pic.twitter.com/RhEKz5xhwu
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) April 10, 2024
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