House Ethics confirms investigation into Gaetz over sex and drug allegations
By
Rachel Schilke
June 18, 2024 11:32 am
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The House Ethics Committee confirmed it is investigating allegations that Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use as part of its yearslong inquiry.
The committee announced in a rare statement on Tuesday it would close four probes into Gaetz related to allegations he “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.”
However, House Ethics will continue to investigate whether Gaetz “engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct.”
Gaetz blasted the committee on Monday for “opening new frivolous investigations.”
“They are doing this to avoid the obvious fact that every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration,” the Florida congressman said in a post to X on Monday.
Gaetz is one of eight House Republicans who voted last fall to oust then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, sending the chamber into a tailspin as the conference argued over whom to elect as the new speaker. In his speech following the ouster, McCarthy took special aim at Gaetz and said the Florida Republican’s vote to oust him was “personal” and “all about his ethics” investigation.
The Florida congressman blamed McCarthy, who resigned from Congress in December, and his allies on Capitol Hill for the ongoing Ethics investigation.
more
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/3049573/house-ethics-allegations-gaetz-investigation-drops-bribery-charges/
