A bombshell report from the Home Ethics Committee reveals damning information particulars concerning the long-running investigation into Matt Gaetz’s alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.

The report discovered that the previous Home consultant from Florida paid hundreds of {dollars} to greater than a dozen girls — together with a 17-year-old lady — for intercourse.

He’s additionally accused of shopping for and utilizing unlawful medicine, together with from his workplace on Capitol Hill, in accordance with the report, a draft of which was first obtained by CBS Information and CNN.

Gaetz is accused of violating Florida’s statutory rape legal guidelines, amongst others, the report discovered.

“The Committee decided there may be substantial proof that Consultant Gaetz violated Home Guidelines and different requirements of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible presents, particular favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” the report states.

Gaetz withdrew his title for consideration as Donald Trump’s nominee for US legal professional normal following reviews {that a} girl testified to the committee that she had sexual encounters with Gaetz at a celebration in 2017 when she was 17 years outdated.

He additionally paid greater than $10,000 to girls by way of a collection of Venmo and PayPal funds with descriptive memos like “being superior” and “being my buddy” — a few of which have been allegedly utilized in transactions for intercourse.

“In my single days, I typically despatched funds to girls I dated — even some I by no means dated however who requested,” Gaetz stated in a press release final week, following information of the report’s imminent launch.

“I dated a number of of those girls for years. I NEVER had sexual contact with somebody underneath 18,” he added. “Any declare that I’ve can be destroyed in court docket — which is why no such declare was ever made in court docket.”

The 42-year-old former congressman stated his 30s “have been an period of working very laborious —and taking part in laborious too.”

“It’s embarrassing, although not prison, that I most likely partied, womanized, drank and smoked greater than I ought to have earlier in life,” he stated. “I reside a distinct life now.”

Gaetz was additionally the topic of a Division of Justice investigation, although prosecutors in the end by no means introduced costs in opposition to him.

Following information that the report can be printed in spite of everything, Gaetz claimed he was “FULLY EXONERATED” after federal prosecutors declined to cost him.

“I’ve had no probability to ever confront any accusers. I’ve by no means been charged. I’ve by no means been sued,” he stated. “As an alternative, Home Ethics will reportedly submit a report on-line that I’ve no alternative to debate or rebut as a former member of the physique.”

The publication of the report marks a shocking reversal of the committee’s November choice in opposition to its launch, which Home Republicans additionally efficiently blocked in a collection of party-line votes within the chamber earlier this month.

The committee’s report follows a prolonged probe into allegations in opposition to the Republican, together with whether or not he engaged in sexual misconduct, used illicit medicine, “shared inappropriate photographs or movies on the Home flooring, misused state identification data, transformed marketing campaign funds to private use, and/or accepted a bribe, improper gratuity, or impermissible presents,” in accordance with the committee’s announcement final 12 months.

Gaetz’s abrupt resignation from Congress after Trump nominated him to guide the Justice Division successfully ended the Home investigation, although committee members weighed whether or not to pressure the Home to launch a report.

Republican Home Speaker Mike Johnson advised reporters final month that he “strongly” requested that the panel not make a report public, arguing that the committee not has jurisdiction over the now-former congressman.

However there may be precedent for releasing such a report after a lawmaker leaves workplace. In 1987, former congressman Invoice Boner was the topic of an ethics report two months after leaving workplace. The committee launched its report into former congressman Buz Lukens the identical day he left workplace in 1990.

Nonetheless, Johnson argued that releasing the report would open “Pandora’s field.”

“If it’s been damaged a few times, it mustn’t have been,” he stated.

Attorneys for witnesses who spoke to the panel additionally urged lawmakers to launch its findings.

Gaetz’s former ally Joel Greenberg reached a take care of prosecutors in Could 2021 to plead responsible to 6 federal crimes, together with underage intercourse trafficking, after he was initially charged with 33 counts. He’s presently serving an 11-year jail sentence.

Greenberg additionally admitted introducing a minor to “different grownup males” who “engaged in business intercourse acts” along with her, in accordance with court docket paperwork.

Following his resignation, Gaetz introduced he can be becoming a member of right-wing media outlet One America Information Community, the place he’ll anchor a “one-hour political discuss present each weeknight” on the community’s prime-time lineup beginning in January.

It is a creating story