Gaetz paid ‘tens of thousands’ for sex and drugs, ethics report says

While it is unusual for the committee to release its findings after a lawmaker leaves public office, the report noted that a “majority” of members found it was in the public-interest to do so in this instance.

An intense debate had erupted over whether or not the report should be released, particularly after Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for the top justice department role.

He said that he hoped to avoid a “needlessly protracted Washington scuffle”.

Gaetz’s slated role as attorney general was one of those that required the confirmation of US senators, and it did not seem that he had the required support.

The secretive ethics committee had investigated Gaetz on and off since 2021 – not only on the claims about sex and drugs, but also on allegations he accepted bribes and misused campaign funds. In all cases, he strongly denied any wrongdoing.

House Republicans previously blocked Democratic efforts to unveil the results of the report, but two of them later voted to do so, according to CBS.

On Monday, Gaetz posted on that X that the committee chose to release the report close to Christmas “and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses”.

Last week, he posted that the ethics committee planed to “post a report online that I have no opportunity to debate or rebut as a former member of the body.”

Gaetz also wrote: “It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanised, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now.”

Several House Democrats criticised their former colleague and Trump for having chosen him as an ally.

Rep Glenn Ivey, one of the five Democrats on the ethics committee, said the allegations against Gaetz show there’s a pattern by Trump of not “putting people in those positions who are really up to doing the job”.

“President-elect Trump should have thought twice before he nominated Matt Gaetz and some of the other nominations he’s made, I think would bear reconsideration as well,” he told CBS News, the BBC’s US partner.