House Ethics Committee votes to release Matt Gaetz report

The US Home Ethics Committee has voted to launch its report on former Republican Consultant Matt Gaetz, two sources aware of the matter have advised the BBC’s US associate, CBS Information.

The report follows a years-long investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. It’s anticipated to be launched within the coming days.

Home Republicans beforehand blocked Democratic efforts to unveil the outcomes of the report into the previous Florida consultant, however throughout a vote on 5 December, two Republicans voted to launch the report, in response to CBS.

Gaetz, who has denied any wrongdoing, stated on Wednesday: “I used to be charged with nothing: FULLY EXONERATED. Not even a marketing campaign finance violation. And the folks investigating me hated me.”

He added: “As a substitute, Home Ethics will reportedly put up a report on-line that I’ve no alternative to debate or rebut as a former member of the physique.”

Gaetz resigned from Congress final month after President-elect Donald Trump stated he would nominate him to steer the US Division of Justice.

However he withdrew his title from consideration for the position only a week later following a backlash from Democrats and Republicans and debate over whether or not to launch the committee’s report.

Gaetz stated on the time that he hoped to keep away from a “needlessly protracted Washington scuffle”.

The 42-year-old has since stated he won’t return to Congress for the subsequent time period, as a substitute launching a brand new present on the Trump-aligned One America Information Community in January.

The ethics committee declined to touch upon the information that it had voted to launch the report, which was first reported by CNN.

It has beforehand stated Gaetz was underneath investigation for sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and bribery.

A lady who attended a 2017 social gathering with him has testified to the Home committee that she noticed the then-congressman having intercourse with a minor, in response to the lady’s lawyer.

The identical lawyer alleged that Gaetz paid this witness and one other lady to have intercourse with him.

In the identical X put up on Wednesday, Gaetz wrote: “It is embarrassing, although not prison, that I most likely partied, womanised, drank and smoked greater than I ought to have earlier in life. I dwell a unique life now.”

He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has described the investigation into him as a “smear marketing campaign”.

The Division of Justice – which Trump had initially tapped Gaetz to steer – additionally investigated an allegation that he had intercourse with a minor however in the end didn’t file any prison costs towards him.

Joel Greenberg, Gaetz’s one-time pal, was the lone particular person charged within the justice division’s intercourse trafficking investigation. He co-operated with investigators and reportedly advised prosecutors details about a number of others, together with Gaetz.

Greenberg is at present serving an 11-year jail sentence after agreeing to plead responsible to a number of federal costs, together with underage intercourse trafficking, wire fraud, stalking, id theft, producing a pretend ID card, and conspiring to defraud the US authorities.