Matt Gaetz, the former congressman at the center of a long-running investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, has released a statement admitting to partying and behaving irresponsibly in his 30s, but says he has changed his ways. Gaetz, who is now 42, acknowledged that in his younger years he “probably partied, womanized, drank, and smoked” more than he should have. However, he insists that his past actions were not criminal.
The House Ethics Committee is expected to release a report soon about its investigation into Gaetz. The committee has been looking into claims of sexual misconduct with underage girls, drug use, and other inappropriate behavior while Gaetz was in office. The report is likely to be made public after the final votes in the House of Representatives this week, as lawmakers prepare to leave Washington for the holidays.
Gaetz was once considered as a nominee for U.S. Attorney General by former President Donald Trump, but he withdrew his name after reports surfaced that a woman testified to the committee about having sexual encounters with him at a party in 2017 when she was 17 years old. Gaetz also made payments totaling over $10,000 to women through Venmo and PayPal, with descriptions like “being awesome” or “being my friend.” Some of these transactions were reportedly linked to sex.
In a statement on Wednesday, Gaetz admitted to sending money to women he dated, as well as women he didn’t date but who asked for money. However, he denied ever having sexual contact with anyone under 18. “I NEVER had sexual contact with someone under 18,” Gaetz said. He added that any claim against him would not hold up in court, which is why no charges were ever filed.
Gaetz described his 30s as a time when he worked hard but also “played hard.” He acknowledged that his behavior at the time was embarrassing but not illegal. “It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life,” he said. “I live a different life now.”
Although Gaetz was the subject of a Department of Justice investigation, no charges were filed against him. He has claimed he was “fully exonerated” after federal prosecutors declined to bring charges. “I’ve never been charged. I’ve never been sued,” Gaetz said, criticizing the upcoming release of the ethics report, which he says he has had no chance to address.
The report is a result of an extensive investigation into several allegations against Gaetz, including sexual misconduct, drug use, and misuse of campaign funds. The committee had initially voted not to release the report in November, but it now seems poised to make it public after the holidays.
Gaetz’s resignation from Congress effectively ended the investigation, but committee members still debated whether to release the report. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson argued that the committee should not release the report, as Gaetz is no longer in office. However, there is precedent for releasing reports on former lawmakers, such as in the cases of Bill Boner in 1987 and Buz Lukens in 1990.
Gaetz’s former associate, Joel Greenberg, pleaded guilty to federal crimes, including underage sex trafficking, in 2021. Greenberg admitted to introducing a minor to other men who engaged in commercial sex acts with her. He is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence.
After resigning from Congress, Gaetz announced that he would be joining One America News Network (OANN) to host a political talk show starting in January.
